Liposome Biodistribution via Europium Complexes

The drug-delivery field needs tools to follow vector biodistribution. Radioactive tracers and conventional fluorophores are widely used. We propose here to use europium complexes. Use of pulsed light source time-resolved fluorimetry takes into account the fluorescence decay time of the lanthanide chelates to gain sensitivity in biological media. The method was developed to follow liposome biodistribution. Octadecyl-DTPA.Eu compound has been prepared and incorporated into liposomes without alteration of its fluorescence signal. The method has been validated by comparison with fluorophore-labelled liposomes. The way to proceed to use this method for liposomes or other vectors is detailed.