TUMOUR TARGETING VIA LIPOSOMAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSYTEMS FOR CANCER THERAPEUTICS
Putta Rajesh Kumar*, Meena N., Poojitha P., Sowjanya P., Shivaleela U. and JVC Sharma
ABSTRACT
Liposomes are spherical vesicles characterised by bilayer of lipids with an internal aqueous cavity. Liposome structural components are phospholipids or synthetic amphiphiles incorporated with sterols, such as cholesterol, to influence membrane permeability. Liposomes are the first nano drug delivery systems that have been successfully translated into real-time clinical applications. These closed bilayer phospholipid vesicles have witnessed many technical advances in recent years since their first development in 1965. Delivery of therapeutics by liposomes alters their biodistribution profile, which further enhances the therapeutic index of various drugs. Thin-film hydration is the most widely used preparation method for liposomes, in which lipid components with or without a drug are dissolved in an organic solvent. The solvent will be evaporated by rotary evaporation followed by rehydration of the film in an aqueous solvent. The other methods include reverse-phase evaporation, freeze-drying and ethanol injection. Techniques like membrane extrusion, sonication, homogenization and/or freeze-thawing are being employed to control the size and size distribution. Liposomes can be formulated and processed to differ in size, composition, charge and lamellarity. Extensive research is being carried out using these nano drug delivery systems in diverseareas including the delivery of anti-cancer, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory drugs and therapeutic genes. The significant contribution of liposomes as drug delivery systems in the healthcare sector is known mainly by many clinical products, e.g., Doxil®, Ambisome®, DepoDur™, etc. Due to extensive developments in liposome technology, a number of liposome-based drug formulations are available for human use and many products are under different clinical trials. Encapsulation of drugs in liposomes enhanced the therapeutic indices of various agents, via improving their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Keywords: Liposomes, Reverse-phase evaporation, Freeze-drying, Ethanol injection, Cancer therapeutics.
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