Tools of gene transfer applied to the intracellular delivery of non-nucleic acid polyanionic drugs

We report the first successful implementation of transfection agents to facilitate the delivery of non-nucleic acid based anti-inflammatory and anti-viral drugs. In doing so, we illustrate a new paradigm in the intracellular delivery of polyanionic drugs and also extend the scope and utility of successful tools of gene transfer into a new area of biomedical research. Commercial agents originally developed for intracellular delivery of DNA (polyethylene imine, lipofectamine) facilitate internalization of polyanionic drugs and drug conjugates.