Patent attributes
The invention pertains to thermosensitive liposomes encapsulating nanoparticles. In certain embodiments, the thermosensitive liposomes of the invention disrupt when heated at gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition temperature (Tm) or above Tm, wherein the liposome comprises a thermosensitive lipidic membrane encapsulating nanoparticles. The nanoparticles used in the invention comprise an inorganic core the largest dimension of which is less than about 100 nm that is fully coated with an agent responsible for the presence of an electrostatic charge below −20 mV or above +20 mV at the surface of the nanoparticle, the electrostatic charge being determined by zeta potential measurements in an aqueous medium between pH 6 and 8, for a concentration of nanoparticles in suspension in the aqueous medium varying between 0.2 and 8 g/L. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions comprising the thermosensitive liposomes as well as to their uses.
