Pharmaceutical liposomal delivery—specific considerations of innovation and challenges

Abstract

Liposomal technology has been widely used in the pharmaceutical field for the preparation of nano-sized drug delivery systems based on natural or synthetic lipids. Liposomes possess many attractive properties, such as easy processing, high biocompatibility, adaptable drug loading, and improved PK profiles. In recent decades, great efforts have been made in this field, and dozens of liposomal medicines have been marketed worldwide and many more are under preclinical or clinical investigations. Liposomes can enhance the aqueous dissolution and stability of the encapsulated drugs and modulate the in vivo fate of the drugs (e.g., prolonged half-life and increased drug accumulation in the pathological sites). Therefore, liposomal technology can improve the druggability of the candidates, enhance treatment efficacy and reduce side effects. This review discusses the prospects of liposomal delivery, including the specific considerations of innovation and challenges.