Neurotensin and oligo-branched peptides decorating liposomes for selective doxorubicin delivery

We reported new amphiphilic molecules containing in the hydrophobic moiety two aliphatic chains and in the hydrophilic moiety a tetra-branched neurotensin(NT1-13) or a truncated form(NT8–13) tetrabranched peptides(NT4) able to aggregates with phospholipid molecules achieving liposome. All liposome were formulated adding the neurotensin amphiphilic monomer in ratio 5:95 with DOPC in order to evaluate the capability to recognize selectively receptors overexpress on cell membrane surface. The liposomes size was determined by Dynamic Light Scattering measurements, values for the hydrodynamic radius(RH). The selective internalization and cytotoxicity of fully doxorubicin loaded liposomes as compared to pure DOPC liposomes, was tested in HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma and TE671 human rhabdomyosarcoma cells.