Nanoliposomes in Cancer Therapy: Marketed Products and Current Clinical Trials

Abstract

The drugs used for cancer treatment have many drawbacks, as they damage both tumor and healthy cells and, in addition, they tend to be poorly soluble drugs. Their transport in nanoparticles can solve these problems as these can release the drug into tumor tissues, as well as improve their solubility, bioavailability, and efficacy, reducing their adverse effects. This article focuses on the advantages that nanotechnology can bring to medicine, with special emphasis on nanoliposomes. For this, a review has been made of the nanoliposomal systems marketed for the treatment of cancer, as well as those that are in the research phase, highlighting the clinical trials being carried out. All marketed liposomes studied are intravenously administered, showing a reduced intensity of side-effects compared with the nonliposomal form. Doxorubicin is the active ingredient most frequently employed. Ongoing clinical trials expand the availability of liposomal medicines with new clinical indications. In conclusion, the introduction of drugs in nanoliposomes means an improvement in their efficacy and the quality of life of patients. The future focus of research could be directed to develop multifunctional targeted nanoliposomes using new anticancer drugs, different types of existing drugs, or new standardized methodologies easily translated into industrial scale.

A Nanoliposomal Gel Containing Cinnamomum zeylanicum Essential Oil with Effective Repellent against the Main Malaria Vector Anopheles stephensi

“…Due to the high solubility of fats in ethanol, the preparation of nanoliposomes containing higher amounts of EOs than polymeric nanoparticles is possible in this method [ 25 , 26 ]. Besides, due to the hydrophobicity of EOs, nanoliposomes have a higher loading capacity than chitosan nanoparticles [ 27 , 28 ]. However, due to the low viscosity of the prepared nanoliposomes, its topical application was a challenge; by adding a thickening agent and transforming them into a gel, the challenge was thus met.…”

Updates on Responsive Drug Delivery Based on Liposome Vehicles for Cancer Treatment

“…The intercellular signals are responsible for the release of drugs in different cell compartments. Although these smart systems have been extensively explored as pharmacotherapy agents, different adverse effects have limited their clinical applications [ 15 ]. Therefore, the selection of proper constituents and activation mechanisms is a crucial factor in engineering the modified drug carriers, since this predetermines their distribution, targetability, and efficiency at specific sites.…”

A multicenter randomized trials to compare the bioequivalence and safety of a generic doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection with Caelyx ® in advanced breast cancer

“…The most toxic reaction is the cardio-toxicity, which is the dose limiting toxicity of anthracyclines, causing progressive irreversible congestive heart failure. This failure is dose-dependent, when the dose exceeds 450–550 mg/m 2 and there is no effective prevention or treatment ( 6 , 7 ). Moreover, the apparent volume of distribution (V d ) is quite large, ranging from 20-30 L/kg, suggesting an extensive tissue uptake ( 8 ).…”

“…Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is doxorubicin HCl encapsulated in liposomes with surface-bound methoxypolyethylene glycol (MPEG). This process is known as pegylation and protects liposomes from detection by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), which increases blood circulation time ( 7 , 9 ). In addition, the average particle size of liposomal doxorubicin is 90nm (called nano drug).…”

“…In addition, the average particle size of liposomal doxorubicin is 90nm (called nano drug). Due to the irregular expansion of micro-vessels in tumor tissue, the vascular endothelial cells are loose and discontinuous, and the gap may up to 100nm-2μm, it is easy for liposomal drugs to penetrate into tumor tissue from local blood vessels, and the lack of functional lymphatic drainage in tumor tissue resulting in passive enrichment and accumulation of liposomal drugs in tumor tissue, which is called enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect ( 4 , 7 , 9 , 10 ). The drug concentration in tumor tissue is high, and the drug distribution in other healthy tissues and organs is reduced, so as to improve the anti-tumor efficacy and reduce adverse reactions.…”