Integration of anticancer drug ruboxyl into the membrane of fullerene-based vesicle enhances its therapeutic performance

The supramolecular complexation of anthracycline antibiotic ruboxyl with water-soluble fullerene derivative was visualized by scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy, and the effects of this complexation on the antileukemic activity in vivo were evaluated. Treatment of mice with P388 lymphocytic leukemia with ruboxyl resulted in 13% of cured animals, while similar treatment with ruboxyl–fullerene derivative combination caused 63% curing.