Laser triggered drug release from magnetoliposomes

Phosphatidylcholine liposomes were prepared with 6-carboxyfluorescein and d extran-magnetite entrapped in their aqueous interior compartments. This so- called magnetoliposome system was evaluated for its feasibility of using a laser as a triggering mechanism for the release of drugs. Substantial amoun ts of carboxyfluorescein were released in response to a single nanosecond l aser pulse. Indirectly it has been shown that this effect is probably due t o the magnetite-mediated localized temperature increase. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.