Liposomal delivery system

Abstract

Liposomes are biodegradable and biocompatible lipid bilayer vesicles that are employed as potential carriers for the delivery of drugs to the desired site. It is used for the delivery of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. Because of the variability in composition and structural properties, liposomes are widely used in biomedical applications. Recently, multifunctional liposomes have been reported for tumor targeting. Liposomal delivery systems are modified in several ways according to their applications. Ligand-modified liposomes are used for targeted drug delivery. Stimuli-sensitive liposomes are used to obtain the trigger drug release at the site of action. Theranostic liposomal systems are used for diagnosis as well as therapeutic purposes. This chapter highlights the basics and classification of liposomes. It encompasses a detailed account of ligand targeted liposomes (such as folate, transferrin, mannose, hyaluronic acid, and asialoglycoprotein), and stimuli-sensitive liposomes (such as pH, temperature, magnetic field, hypoxia, and photo-triggered) for tumor targeting. It also includes some marketed liposomal products used for cancer treatment