Liposomal Interferon- : Sustained Release Treatment of Simian Varicella Virus Infection in Monkeys

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Abstract
Liposomal formulations (distearoylphosphatidylcholine:dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol, 9:1) of recombinant human interferon-βser17 (IFN-β), administered im to African green monkeys at doses of 107 units/kg on days 1 and 6 after infection with simian varicella virus, resulted in partial protection of the monkeys from viral infection. Aqueous interferon administered under the same dosing regimen was ineffective. When given at 106 units/kg per dose twice daily for 10d, however,it was highly effective in reducing viremia and rash. The antiviral efficacy obtained with the liposomal IFN-β formulation given in two injections 5 d apart was thus significantly more efficacious than aqueous IFN-β given in the same dosing regimen. However, it was not as efficacious as repeated, twicedaily injections of aqueous IFN-β. Thus, im-injected liposomal IFN-β, which results in sustained release of the IFN-β from the injection site, exerts antiviral efficacy in a primate model superior to that obtained with the identical dosing regimen of aqueous IFN-β.