A pilot study on the use of ultra‐deformable liposomes containing bleomycin in the treatment of equine sarcoid

The efficacy of a novel topical liposome‐encapsulated preparation of bleomycin (Bleosome) was studied in 118 clinical cases of equine sarcoid and efficacy was compared with two other standard conventional treatments, tazarotene and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) as well as with the Bleosome in combination with each of these two conventional treatments. Treatments were arbitrarily assigned. Fifty‐two of the 118 sarcoids (44%) were resolved after 12 months but there were significant differences between treatment groups with the combinations of either 5‐FU and bleomycin, or tazarotene and bleomycin resulting in significantly superior resolution of 77 and 78% of the lesions, respectively. The preliminary results suggest that bleomycin in a liposomal carrier may be a useful treatment modality for superficial, diffuse and verrucose sarcoids. The treatment process was simple, and outcomes were functionally and cosmetically excellent. Liposome‐encapsulated bleomycin is economic compared to radiation and other treatment options and can be applied effectively by the owner under guidance. Further studies with different administration protocols and higher concentrations of bleomycin are warranted.