Abstract: Described herein are methods of preparing liposome-containing pharmaceutical compositions, the liposomes containing headgroup-derivatized lipids and etherlipids having the formula: ##STR1## Such compositions are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including various cancers and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: Described herein are liposomes containing etherlipids of the formula: ##STR1## as well as a phosphatidylcholine, a sterol, and a headgroup-derivatized lipid. These liposomes are useful in a variety of therapeutic regimens, including the treatment of cancers and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: Liposomes are provided which contain etherlipids having the formula: ##STR1## as well as an unsaturated or partially unsaturated phospholipid, a sterol, and a phosphatidylethanolamine-based headgroup-derivatized lipid. These liposomes are useful in a variety of therapeutic regimens, including the treatment of cancers and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: This invention provides a taxane derivative of the formula: ##STR1## wherein a hydrophobic organic moiety is attached to a taxane. R and R.sup.1 is each indepently H or a hydrophobic organic moiety, as long as at least one of R and R.sup.1 is not H. Attachment of a hydrophobic organic moiety to the taxane so as to obtain a taxane derivative generally stabilizes the association of the derivative with a lipid, including a liposomal lipid, carrier in the plasma of animals to which the derivative-carrier association is administered. Also provided herein is a composition containing the taxane derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable medium; desirably, the medium also contains a lipid carrier, and the derivative is associated with the carrier. Further provided herein is a method of administering taxane derivatives to animals, for example, animals afflicted with cancers.

Abstract: This invention provides a multilamellar liposome containing an arachidonic acid metabolite, two or more lipid-containing bilayers and two or more aqueous compartments containing a release-inhibiting buffer. Preferred arachidonic acid metabolites are the prostaglandins, particularly PGE.sub.1. The liposomal formulations can be used to treat animals, particularly humans, for diseases, disorders or conditions which can be ameliorated by prostaglandins, e.g., disorders characterized by cellular activation and adhesion, inflammation and/or toxemia.

Abstract: Dehydrated liposomes are prepared by drying liposome preparations under reduced pressure in the presence of one or more protective sugars, e.g., the disaccharides trehalose and sucrose. Preferably, the protective sugars are present at both the inside and outside surfaces of the liposome membranes. Freezing of the liposome preparation prior to dehydration is optional. Alternatively, the protective sugar can be omitted if: (1) the liposomes are of the type which have multiple lipid layers; (2) the dehydration is done without prior freezing; and (3) the dehydration is performed to an end point which results in sufficient water being left in the preparation (e.g., at least 12 moles water/mole lipid) so that the integrity of a substantial portion of the multiple lipid layers is retained upon rehydration.

Abstract: A high integrity liposome comprising at least one stabile lipid and at least one peptide-like therapeutic agent associated with the liposome, adapted for parenteral administration to an animal, including a human, and method according to manufacture and use.Immunizing dosage forms comprising a liposome and an immunogen, wherein the liposome and immunogen are present in an immunization dose. Additionally, a dosage form, including such form particularly adapted to producing an immune response, comprising a salt according to an organic acid derivative of a sterol and an immunogen are present in an immunization dose, and method according to uses is disclosed. Further, a dosage form, including such form particularly adapted to producing an immune response, comprising dimyristolyphosphatidylcholine (DMPC)/cholesterol liposomes, optionally in an aluminum hydroxide gel, and an immunogen wherein the DMPC/cholesterol and immunogen are present in an immunization dose, and method according to use.

Abstract: This invention provides an interdigitation-fusion liposome comprising an arachidonic acid metabolite, a lipid bilayer comprising a lipid and an aqueous compartment comprising a release-inhibiting buffer. Preferred arachidonic acid metabolites are the prostaglandins, particularly PGE.sub.1. The liposomal formulations can be used to treat animals, particularly humans, for diseases, disorders or conditions which can be ameliorated by prostaglandins, e.g., cell activation/adhesion disorders and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: A composition comprises a free arachidonic acid metabolite and endocystosable particles such as phagocytosable or opsonizable particles, or particles binding to phagocytic receptors to serum proteins, and the like. The composition, in the form of a therapeutic formulation may be administered alone, or with other bioactive agents, for the treatment of a disorder characterized by cell activation/adhesion, inflammation or toxemia. A second method of treating such disorders comprises the administration of an endocytosable particle.

Abstract: Dehydrated liposomes are prepared by drying liposome preparations under reduced pressure in the presence of one or more protective sugars, e.g., the disaccharides trehalose and sucrose. Preferably, the protective sugars are present at both the inside and outside surfaces of the liposome membranes. Freezing of the liposome preparation prior to dehydration is optional. Alternatively, the protective sugar can be omitted if: (1) the liposomes are of the type which have multiple lipid layers; (2) the dehydration is done without prior freezing; and (3) the dehydration is performed to an end point which results in sufficient water being left in the preparation (e.g., at least 12 moles water/mole lipid) so that the integrity of a substantial portion of the multiple lipid layers is retained upon rehydration.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition containing a sized liposome comprising a lipid and an induce; the sized liposome has a diameter of at most about 1 micoron and the induces is present in an amount effective to induce interdigitation-fusion of the sized liposome. Also provided herein are interdigitation-fusion liposomes and gels, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of administering an arachidonic acid metabolite, such as prostaglandin E1, to an animal. The metabolite is given to the animal, typically a human, in association with a unilamellar liposome comprising a lipid and a release-inhibiting aqueous buffer. This method can be used to treat animals afflicted with disorders characterized by cell activation and adhesion, inflammation or toxemia.

Abstract: Defensins are microbicidal, tumoricidal cytotoxic protein components of animal host defense systems. They can be entrapped in liposomes containing release-inhibiting lipid such that the defensins are neutralized, and their release from the liposomes is inhibited; however, the defensins remain effective when exposed to endocytosed material in endocytic vesicles. Liposomal defensin formulations are administered to animals for the treatment or prevention of microbial infections, for the treatment of cancers and for the treatment of disorders characterized by a deficiency of protein-mediated cytotoxic activity in cytoplasmic granules.

Abstract: Liposomes are provided which contain ether lipids having the formula: ##STR1## as well as an underivatized phosphatidylethanolamine, a sterol, and a phosphatidylethanolamine-dicarboxylic acid headgroup-derivatized lipid. These liposomes are useful in a variety of therapeutic regimens, including the treatment of cancers and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: Provided herein is a taxane having a hydrocarbon attached at the 2' and/or 7 positions, the hydrocarbon's alpha position being occupied by a "hydrolysis-promoting group" ("HPG"). Substitution of an HPG for the methylene unit ordinarily occupying the alpha position allows for enhanced in vivo hydrolysis of the hydrocarbon-taxane bond, and hence, for enhanced taxane therapeutic activity. Also provided herein are taxane-containing compositions, and methods of administering taxanes to animals, including those afflicted with cancers.

Abstract: This invention provides a compound having the formula R.sup.1 -Y.sup.1 --CHZ.sup.1 -CH(NY.sup.2 Y.sup.3)--CH.sub.2 -Z.sup.2, wherein: R.sup.1 is a straight-chained alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having from 8 to 19 carbon atoms in the aliphatic chain; Y.sup.1 is --CH.dbd.CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or --CH(OH)CH(OH)--; Z.sup.1 is OH or a conversion-inhibiting group; Z.sup.2 is a conversion-inhibiting group; Y.sup.2 is H, a phenyl group, an alkyl-substituted phenyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbons in the alkyl chain, or an alkyl chain having from 1 to 6 carbons; Y.sup.3 is H or a group having the formula --C(O)R.sup.2 or --S(O).sub.2 R.sup.2 ; R.sup.2 is a straight-chained alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having from 1 to 23 carbon atoms in the chain; and when Z.sup.2 is an amino, R.sup.2 is an aliphatic chain having from 1 to 9 or from 19 to 23 carbon atoms in the aliphatic chain.

Abstract: This invention provides a compound having the formula R.sup.1 --Y.sup.1 --CHZ.sup.1 --CH(NY.sup.2 Y.sup.3)--CH.sub.2 --Z.sup.2, wherein: R.sup.1 is a straight-chained alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having from 8 to 19 carbon atoms in the aliphatic chain; Y.sup.1 is --CH.dbd.CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or --CH(OH)CH(OH)--; Z.sup.1 is OH or a conversion-inhibiting group; Z.sup.2 is a conversion-inhibiting group; Y.sup.2 is H, a phenyl group, an alkyl-substituted phenyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbons in the alkyl chain, or an alkyl chain having from 1 to 6 carbons; Y.sup.3 is H or a group having the formula --C(O)R.sup.2 or --S(O).sub.2 R.sup.2 ; R.sup.2 is a straight-chained alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having from 1 to 23 carbon atoms in the chain; and when Z.sup.2 is an amino, R.sup.2 is an aliphatic chain having from 1 to 9 or from 19 to 23 carbon atoms in the aliphatic chain.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of administering a liposome composition to an animal, the method involving adminstering to the animal a liposome composition containing an adverse physiological reaction-reducing effective amount of a liposome which has, in addition to a bioactive agent, a lipid bilayer containing a lipid and a surface agent-modified molecule. An adverse physiological reaction which may be experienced by the animal upon administration of a liposome composition is reduced by way of the presence of the surface agent-modified molecule in the liposome's lipid bilayer.

Abstract: This invention provides a compound having the formula R.sup.1 --Y.sup.1 --CHZ.sup.1 --CH(NY.sup.2 Y.sup.3)--CH.sub.2 --Z.sup.2, wherein: R.sup.1 is a straight-chained alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having from 8 to 19 carbon atoms in the aliphatic chain; Y.sup.1 is --CH.dbd.CH--, --C.tbd.C-- or --CH(OH)CH(OH)--; Z.sup.1 is OH or a conversion-inhibiting group; Z.sup.2 is a conversion-inhibiting group; Y.sup.2 is H, a phenyl group, an alkyl-substituted phenyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbons in the alkyl chain, or an alkyl chain having from 1 to 6 carbons; Y.sup.3 is H or a group having the formula --C(O)R.sup.2 or --S(O).sub.2 R.sup.2 ; R.sup.2 is a straight-chained alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group having from 1 to 23 carbon atoms in the chain; and when Z.sup.2 is an amino, R.sup.2 is an aliphatic chain having from 1 to 9 or from 19 to 23 carbon atoms in the aliphatic chain.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for nonliposomal lipid complexes in association with toxic hydrophobic drugs such as the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B. Lipid compositions are preferably a combination of the phospholipids dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) in about a 7:3 mole ratio. The lipid complexes contain a bioactive agent, and may be made by a number of procedures, at high drug:lipid ratios. These compositions of high drug:lipid complexes (HDLCs) may be administered to mammals such as humans for the treatment of infections, with substantially equivalent or greater efficacy and reduced drug toxicities as compared to the drugs in their free form. Also disclosed is a novel liposome-loading procedure, which may also be used in the formation of the HDLCs.