Thermotropic Phase Behavior of Liposome Entrapped 5-FU and LCV.

The aim of this work was to encapsulate two drugs: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) with the hydrophobic properties and 5-Formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteroyl-L-glutamic acid calcium salt (leucovorin) with the hydrophilic properties into liposomes prepared by the modified reverse-phase evaporation method (mREV) from L-α-phosphatidylcholine dipalmitoyl (DPPC). The drugs are used in the anticancer multidrug therapy FLv (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin) and ELF (etoposide, leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil). We studied the competition for their encapsulation in liposomes by the use of two spectroscopies: 1H NMR and UV on the basis of the analysis of the signals of each drug in the liposome - drug system. Liposomes are highly versatile structures for research, therapeutic and analytical applications. We concluded that the liposomes obtained by the mREV method may transport more than one drug simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]