Protection against doxorubicin-induced alopecia in rats by liposome-entrapped monoclonal antibodies.

Alopecia is a common side effect of several anti-cancer drugs, including doxorubicin. Based on our recent observation that a monoclonal antibody (MAD11) directed against this anthracycline inhibits the systemic toxic effect of the drug in mice, we investigated the possibility that MAD11 administered topically might protect against doxorubicin-induced alopecia. In 31 of 45 young rats treated intraperitoneally with doxorubicin, alopecia was completely prevented by topical treatment of the skin with liposome-incorporated anti-doxorubicin monoclonal antibody. This type of treatment might find relevance in preventing anthracycline-induced alopecia in cancer patients. Our findings also provide the first demonstration that liposome-entrapped monoclonal antibodies are capable of penetrating the stratum corneum of the skin without losing their function.