Characterization of liposome-containing SPIONs conjugated with anti-CD20 developed as a novel theranostic agent for central nervous system lymphoma

Abstract Despite advances in neuroscience cancer research during the past decades, the survival of cancer patients has only marginally improved and the cure remains unlikely. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a major obstacle protecting the entry of therapeutic agents to central nervous system, especially for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). Thus, the use of small nanoparticle as a drug carrier may be new strategies to overcome this problem. In this study, we fabricated liposome consisting of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) functionalized with anti-CD20 (Rituximab; RTX). The designed nanoparticles have a theranostic property which is not only to improve drug delivery, but also to offer diagnostic and monitoring capabilities. TEM images revealed the spherical shape of liposome with the approximately average diameters about 140–190 nm with slightly negatively charge surfaces. Superparamagnetic property of SPIONs-loaded liposomes was confirmed by VSM. Liposome colloidal could be prolonged at 4 °C and 25 °C storages. RTX conjugated liposome induced cell internalization and apoptosis effect in B-lymphoma cells. Drug targeting and therapeutic effect was investigated in BBB model. The result confirmed that liposome nanocarrier is required as a drug carrier for effectively RTX across the BBB.