Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 28, 2025
Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier
Published on: February 8, 2017
Liposomal doxorubicin as targeted delivery platform: Current trends in surface functionalization
Vivek Makwana1, Jasmine Karanjia2, Thomas Haselhorst3
1School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia; Quality Use of Medicines Network, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia.
Liposomal delivery systems improve chemotherapy efficacy and safety. Active targeting using functionalized liposomes enhances drug accumulation in tumors, improving cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Oncology
Background:
- Liposomal formulations offer enhanced efficacy and safety for chemotherapeutic agents compared to free drugs.
- Liposomes, with their bilayer structure, serve as effective carriers for therapeutic and diagnostic agents.
- Doxorubicin is frequently used to evaluate liposomal applications due to its favorable entrapment and loading properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advancements in liposomal doxorubicin delivery systems.
- To explore strategies for improving tumor targeting efficiency through active targeting.
- To discuss the potential of functionalized nanocarriers for enhanced cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on liposomal doxorubicin formulations.
- Analysis of passive targeting mechanisms (EPR effect) in liposomal drug delivery.
- Examination of active targeting strategies using ligand-functionalized liposomes.
Main Results:
- Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil®) demonstrates prolonged circulation and increased tumor accumulation via passive targeting.
- Surface modification of liposomes with polyethylene glycol enhances drug residence time.
- Active targeting ligands (peptides, antibodies, carbohydrates) show potential for receptor-mediated cancer cell targeting.
Conclusions:
- Liposomal drug delivery systems significantly improve chemotherapeutic outcomes.
- Active targeting of malignant cells using functionalized liposomes represents a promising strategy for next-generation cancer therapy.
- Further research into intelligent drug delivery systems can optimize therapeutic efficacy and minimize side effects.
