New pH-responsive gemini lipid derived co-liposomes for efficacious doxorubicin delivery to drug resistant cancer cells

A gemini version of the amphiphile palmitoyl homocysteine was synthesized. Co-liposomes were prepared using the gemini along with a natural zwitterionic lipid, DOPE and cholesterol at specified ratios. This afforded pH-responsive co-liposomes which could efficiently transport the anticancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), across the DOX-resistant HeLa cancer cells in response to low pH of cellular endosomes.