Liposome Photosensitizer Formulations for Effective Cancer Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising non-invasive strategy in the fight against that which circumvents the systemic toxic effects of chemotherapeutics. It relies on photosensitizers (PSs), which are photoactivated by light irradiation and interaction with molecular oxygen. This generates highly reactive oxygen species (such as 1O2, H2O2, O2, ·OH), which kill cancer cells by necrosis or apoptosis. Despite the promising effects of PDT in cancer treatment, it still suffers from several shortcomings, such as poor biodistribution of hydrophobic PSs, low cellular uptake, and low efficacy in treating bulky or deep tumors. Hence, various nanoplatforms have been developed to increase PDT treatment effectiveness and minimize off-target adverse effects. Liposomes showed great potential in accommodating different PSs, chemotherapeutic drugs, and other therapeutically active molecules. Here, we review the state-of-the-art in encapsulating PSs alone or combined with other chemotherapeutic drugs into liposomes for effective tumor PDT.

Magnetite-Silica Core/Shell Nanostructures: From Surface Functionalization towards Biomedical Applications—A Review

“…More recent research has shown the significant progress that photosensitizers have brought to cancer treatments. Studies in clinical photodynamic therapy have received increased attention since the hospital administrations have permitted using photosensitizing drugs in curative and palliative treatments of diverse diseases [135,136].…”

Thermosensitive Liposomes Encapsulating Nedaplatin and Picoplatin Demonstrate Enhanced Cytotoxicity against Breast Cancer Cells

“…Previous studies reported augmentation of the anticancer effects of chemotherapeutics when combined with local hyperthermia (39–41 °C) . This is achieved by increasing the accumulation of TSL loaded with drugs onto cancer cells by improving the permeability of the loaded drugs through loose cancer blood vessels. , Also, when TSL is exposed to slight hyperthermia (39–42 °C), a phase transition of the liposomal lipid bilayer from a solid gel organized phase (L β ) to a fluid scrambled stage (L α ) takes place. This increases the permeability of the liposomal membranes, enabling selectively triggered diffusion of the loaded drug. − Several studies have reported the temperature-responsive liposomal delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, including paclitaxel, DOX, cisplatin, and methotrexate. − Thermosensitive polymers, such as chitosan, gelatin, poly­( N -isopropylacrylamide), and poly­( N -vinylalkylamides), are also employed to create TSL.…”

“… 17 This is achieved by increasing the accumulation of TSL loaded with drugs onto cancer cells by improving the permeability of the loaded drugs through loose cancer blood vessels. 18 , 19 Also, when TSL is exposed to slight hyperthermia (39–42 °C), a phase transition of the liposomal lipid bilayer from a solid gel organized phase (L β ) to a fluid scrambled stage (L α ) takes place. This increases the permeability of the liposomal membranes, enabling selectively triggered diffusion of the loaded drug.…”

Methods of Liposomes Preparation: Formation and Control Factors of Versatile Nanocarriers for Biomedical and Nanomedicine Application

“…The modern generation of liposomes includes lipid-based targeted and theranostic nanoplatforms, obtained by the engineering of the phospholipid nanostructures [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. All those varieties of liposome nanoplatforms stimulated a great effort for the scale-up of the fabrication methods in view of industrial developments.…”