The transport of cytotoxic liposomes to malignant cells by means of carbohydrate determinants

A method of the synthesis of lipophilic glycoconjugates (vectors) on the ba sis of polyethyleneglycol-containing detergent was proposed. It has been sh own by flow cytofluorometry that fluorescent labeled liposomes equipped wit h beta-galactosyl conjugate are bound human leukosis HL-60 cells more effec tively than liposomes embedded with the beta-glucosyl conjugate or vector-f ree liposomes. A new lipid derivative of antitumor drug rubomycin (daunorub icin). N-(rac-1,2-dioleoylglycero-3-oxalyl)rubomycin (RubDG) has been synth esized. Liposomes loaded with RubDG and equipped with galactosyl vector sho wed higher cytotoxic activity in vitro against HL-60 cells than analogous u nvectored liposomes or liposomes bearing glycosyl conjugate.