Hemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes for targeted drug delivery

摘要

A haemoglobin construct which binds to haptoglobin comprising a non-intramolecularly cross-linked haemoglobin and a bioactive agent, therapeutic agent, diagnostic agent, or marker bound to the haemoglobin, which provides a means for specifically targeting hepatocytes or other cells having receptors for haemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes is disclosed. These construct-complexes may be formed ex vivo, or a hemoglobin-hepatocyte modifying substance combination may be administered to the patient so that haptoglobin in the mammalian body bonds thereto to form the construct-complex in vivo. These construct-complexes are suitable for diagnosis and treatment of liver disorders.