Importance

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Abstract

Novel target-sensitive immunoliposomes were prepared and characterized. In this invention, target specific binding of antibody-coated liposomes was sufficient to induce bilayer destabilization, resulting in a site-specific release of liposome contents. Unilamellar liposomes were prepared by using a small quantity of palmitoyl IgG (pIgG) to stabilize the bilayer phase of the unsaturated phosphatidylethanol amine (PE) which by itself does not form stable liposomes. A mouse monoclonal IgG antibody to the glycoprotein D (gD) of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and dioleoyl PE were used in one preferred embodiment. In another preferred embodiment, potentially cytotoxic antiviral drugs were entrapped in target sensitive (TS) immunoliposomes and delivered to HSV infected cells. Potency was as much as 1000 times superior to the free drug and cytotoxicity was decreased by as much as 3000 fold.

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First Claim