Selective accumulation of hybrid liposomes into adult T-cell leukemia cells along with induction of apoptosis.

Markedly inhibitory effects of hybrid liposomes (HL-n) composed of 90 mol% L-α-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and 10 mol% polyoxyethylene(n) dodecyl ethers on the growth of adult T-cell leukemia cells were obtained for the first time. It is noteworthy that HL-n could selectively accumulate into the adult T-cell leukemia cells and induce apoptosis via caspase-3 activation.