Construction of Novel Thermosensitive Magnetic Cationic Liposomes as a Drug and Gene Co-Delivery System

This study aimed to develop a novel system for co-delivery of both drugs and genes to the same cells. We described the construction of thermosensitive magnetic cationic liposomes (TSMCLs). Liposomes were prepared by thin film hydration method, then calcein release assay and DSC were used to determine the thermosensitivity of liposomes, and gel retardation experiment was performed to monitor the formation of Lipoplex (Liposomes and pDNA complex), finally the in vitro transfection experiments were performed to evaluate the transfection efficiency of the liposomes. The results showed that TSMCLs combined the features of physical targeting under magnetic guidance and hyperthermia triggered drug release upon the application of alternating magnetic field. Thus TSMCLs could be used for the co-delivery of drugs and genes and have potential application in combined chemotherapy and gene therapy for cancer.