A Review on Composite Liposomal Technologies for Specialized Drug Delivery

Abstract

The combination of liposomes with polymeric scaffolds could revolutionize the current state of drug delivery technology. Although liposomes have been extensively studied as a promising drug delivery model for bioactive compounds, there still remain major drawbacks for widespread pharmaceutical application. Two approaches for overcoming the factors related to the suboptimal efficacy of liposomes in drug delivery have been suggested. The first entails modifying the liposome surface with functional moieties, while the second involves integration of pre-encapsulated drug-loaded liposomes within depot polymeric scaffolds. This attempts to provide ingenious solutions to the limitations of conventional liposomes such as short plasma half-lives, toxicity, stability, and poor control of drug release over prolonged periods. This review delineates the key advances in composite technologies that merge the concepts of depot polymeric scaffolds with liposome technology to overcome the limitations of conventional liposomes for pharmaceutical applications.

The comparison of protein-entrapped liposomes and lipoparticles: preparation, characterization, and efficacy of cellular uptake

“…[1][2][3][4] In particular, liposomes are well recognized as pharmaceutical carriers because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity and are clinically used for efficacy enhancement and toxicity reduction. 5,6 Liposomes have good longevity in the blood that allows their accumulation in pathological areas with compromised vasculature, can demonstrate specific targeting to disease sites when various targeting ligands are attached to their surface to enhance intracellular penetration, possess stimulus-sensitivity allowing for drug release from the carriers under certain pathological conditions, and show contrast properties with loading of various contrast materials that allows for direct visualization in vivo.…”

Heart regeneration after myocardial infarction using synthetic biomaterials

“…A large number of the physicochemical properties of liposomes [133] have been explored for active targeting of therapeutic drugs to myocardial ischemic regions [134]. PEGylation strategy is used to improve permanence-time and to reduce the opsonization process of systems administered in the blood [135,136], consequently increasing liposome therapeutic efficacy [137].…”

The physiology of cardiovascular disease and innovative liposomal platforms for therapy

“…44,45 Nearly 50 years have passed since the first description of liposomes by Horne et al 46 Liposomes possess immense versatility with regard to physicochemical properties, allowing adaptation of the particle to fit the specific biological application. 47 Liposomes are spherical platforms that use natural lipids and/or synthetic polymers and cholesterol as building blocks to form the bilayer structure. They possess a hydrophilic core surrounded by a hydrophobic membrane, 48 and span in size from 50 nm to several microns.…”

“…They possess a hydrophilic core surrounded by a hydrophobic membrane, 48 and span in size from 50 nm to several microns. 47 The introduction of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) has been shown to increase the circulation half-life of liposomes, assisting in evasion of phagocytic cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES). 49 With regard to chemistry, inclusion of cationic lipids may be advantageous for specific situations, such as enhanced cellular uptake.…”

“…50 Liposomes can also be conjugated with proteins or peptides for enhanced targeting to specific tissues, or to induce biological effects. 47,49 The liposomal drug Doxil was the first nanotherapeutic drug to be used in the clinic. Originally used in the treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma, more than a decade after its approval it is still used in the treatment of several cancers, including ovarian and metastatic breast cancer.…”