Liposomes useful for drug delivery to the brain

Abstract

The present invention provides liposome compositions containing substituted ammonium and/or polyanion, and optionally with a desired therapeutic or imaging entity. The present invention also provide methods of making the liposome compositions provided by the present invention. The present invention also provides for the methods and kits for the delivery of liposomal compositions to the brain.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid conduit, adapted for placement within the brain tissue of a mammal and containing a formulation comprising a liposome in an aqueous medium, wherein the liposome comprises an aqueous interior space that contains sucrose octasulfate and an cationic antineoplastic agent. 
     
     
         2 . The conduit of  claim 1 , wherein the formulation further comprises a contrast agent. 
     
     
         3 . The conduit of  claim 2 , wherein the contrast agent is suitable for X-ray imaging or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 
     
     
         4 . The conduit of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is placed in brain tissue comprising a brain tumor. 
     
     
         5 . The conduit of  claim 1  wherein the cationic antineoplastic agent is a camptothecin. 
     
     
         6 . The conduit of  claim 1  wherein the cationic antineoplastic agent is irinotecan. 
     
     
         7 . An infusion catheter or cannula having a tip, wherein the catheter or cannula contains a formulation comprising a liposome in an aqueous medium, wherein the liposome comprises an aqueous interior space that contains sucrose octasulfate and an cationic antineoplastic agent, and wherein the tip is adapted for placement within the brain of a mammal. 
     
     
         8 . The infusion catheter or cannula of  claim 7 , wherein the tip is positioned within a brain tumor within the brain of the mammal. 
     
     
         9 . The infusion catheter or cannula of  claim 7 , wherein the formulation further contains a contrast agent. 
     
     
         10 . The infusion catheter or cannula of  claim 9 , wherein the contrast agent is suitable for X-ray imaging or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 
     
     
         11 . The infusion catheter or cannula of  claim 7  wherein the cationic antineoplastic agent is a camptothecin. 
     
     
         12 . The conduit of  claim 7  wherein the cationic antineoplastic agent is irinotecan.