Targeting liposomes and lipoplexes to cells in the liver.

The liver harbors several populations of cells that play a crucial role in a number of vital functions of the body. In addition, this organ is often a primary site of metastatic tumor growth often leading to catastrophic consequences for the patient. We have studied the potential of lipid-based drug carriers to deliver therapeutically active agents specifically to the following four liver-associated cell populations: hepatocytes (parenchymal cells), Kupffer cells (resident liver macrophages), sinusoidal endothelial cells and intrahepatically growing colon carcinoma cells.