Synthesis and evaluation of glyco-coated liposomes as drug carriers for active targeting in drug delivery systems.

Novel sugar-conjugated cholesterols, ß-Gal-, α-Man-, ß-Man-, α-Fuc-, and ß-Man-6P-S-ß-Ala-Chol, were synthesized and incorporated into liposomes. In vitro experiments using the glyco-coated liposomes showed that the glyco-coated liposomes are efficiently taken up by cells expressing carbohydrate-binding receptors selectively. Glyco-coated liposomes are promising candidates for drug delivery vehicles.