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Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Spatial Measurements of Perfusion, Interstitial Fluid Pressure and Liposomes Accumulation in Solid Tumors
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Spatial Measurements of Perfusion, Interstitial Fluid Pressure and Liposomes Accumulation in Solid Tumors

Published on: August 18, 2016

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Liposomes in tumor treatment: a double-edged sword

Guo Wu1,2, Haotian Li3, Yixia Liang1,2

  • 1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.

Science China. Life Sciences
|January 20, 2026
PubMed

Insights

FDA-approved liposomal drugs can harm cancer treatment by activating the complement system. This review explores how liposomes interact with the immune system to improve future cancer nanomedicine.

Area of Science:

  • Nanomedicine
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • FDA-approved liposomal drugs offer improved toxicity and delivery.
  • Emerging evidence shows liposomes can have pro-angiogenic and immunosuppressive effects.
  • Complement system activation is implicated in these adverse liposomal effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of complement system activation in liposomal drug adverse effects.
  • To analyze interactions between liposomes, complement proteins, and the tumor microenvironment.
  • To identify strategies for optimizing nanocarrier design for improved cancer nanomedicine.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing evidence.
  • Analysis of dynamic interactions between liposomal formulations, complement proteins, and the tumor microenvironment.
  • Elucidation of mechanisms underlying liposome-complement interactions.

Main Results:

  • Complement activation by liposomes contributes to pro-angiogenic and immunosuppressive effects.
  • These effects can compromise the therapeutic efficacy of liposomal drugs.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for optimizing liposomal drug design.

Conclusions:

  • Next-generation liposomal therapeutics require designs that minimize immunogenic potential.
  • Optimizing nanocarrier design can enhance efficacy and reduce adverse effects.
  • This framework provides insights for translational cancer nanomedicine development.
Keywords:
angiogenesiscomplement systemimmunosuppressionliposomenanocarriertumor microenvironment

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