PharmacyOncologyPharmaceuticsDrug DeliveryNanoparticle Drug DeliveryTargeted Drug DeliveryCancer Drug DeliveryLipid-based NanoparticlesLiposomal FormulationsLiposome-based DeliveryNanocarriers For TherapeuticsNucleic Acid DeliveryActive Targeting Of LiposomesCationic LiposomesLiposomal Delivery SystemsLiposome Delivery SystemsLiposome Drug DeliveryLiposomesTargeted Liposomes
Cationic liposomes are considered to be safe vectors for gene transfer, but they are less efficient at delivering DNA to cells when compared with retroviral vectors. Cationic liposomes complexed with DNA were targeted to specific cells in vitro by means of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or ligands associated with the liposomes. Significant increases in expression of a beta-galactosidase reporter gene were observed in vitro in mAb-targeted liposomes, compared with non-targeted liposomes, in both an adherent tumor cell line (human adenocarcinoma) and a suspension cell line (human T-lymphoma). Also, use of asialofetuin as a targeting ligand significantly increased expression of the reporter gene in human hepatoma cells. Our results suggest that site-specific targeting of cationic liposomes is a good strategy for increasing both the selectivity and the efficiency of DNA delivery to cells and with further development may lead to targeted DNA delivery in vivo.