Liposomal dexamethasone study drug
Pegylated liposomal dexamethasone (Dex-PL) was provided by Enceladus Pharmaceuticals, Naarden, the Netherlands. Dex-PL is composed of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline, pegylated distearoyl phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and cholesterol, which constitute the lipid bilayer of carefully sized 100 nm vesicles that stably encapsulate dexamethasone sodium phosphate in the aqueous interior. Before treatment, the required dose of this composition was diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride solution and administered intravenously during 1 to 2 h depending on the dose, using a stepwise protocol of increased infusion rates so as to minimize the chance of infusion-related side effects.