Liposomes: A breakthrough in advanced drug delivery systems

Liposomes as a pivotal drug delivery system have long been recognized for their myriad of appealing characteristics, such as their phospholipid bilayer structure, facile preparation and high biocompatibility. Over the past few decades, extensive efforts have been devoted to the development of liposome-based drug delivery systems. Numerous candidate drugs have been encapsulated within liposomes, with investigations focused on reducing toxicity and prolonging therapeutic efficacy. Diverse academic and industrial research groups have established liposomal encapsulation for hydrophilic and hydrophobic small molecule therapies, as well as other macromolecular biopharmaceuticals. To date, an increasing number of FDA-approved liposome-based therapies, coupled with a surge in clinical trials, have demonstrated wide-ranging applications in anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral treatments. This comprehensive review primarily highlights the mechanisms of liposomal drug carriers' interactions with cells, the routes by which liposomes are delivered to target disease sites, and the applications of liposomal drug carriers in treating various ailments. The aim is to provide a valuable reference for further research and development of liposomal drug formulations.