Advances in Liposomal Drug Delivery System in the Field of Chemotherapy

Ying-Jie Hu, Fan Zeng, Rui-Jun Ju and Wan-Liang Lu

Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug System, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, and School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, China
Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, China
Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, China
Authors contribute to this paper equally

^*Correspondance to: Wan-Liang Lu 

 PDF  Full Text Review Article | Open Access

Abstract:

Liposomal drug delivery system has experienced nearly 50 years from laboratory research to clinical application. It has made evident breakthrough and innovation in the fields of anticancer, anti-infection and pain management. The objectives of this study were to briefly summarize and review the major fabrication approaches, progresses in the early studies, and clinical application of drug liposomes for chemotherapy. The manufacturing technology of drug liposomes is becoming mature now, consisting of film dispersion, reverse-phase evaporation, chemical gradient loading and the other encapsulation methods. A number of liposomal strategies have been developed to improve efficiency and function of drug delivery through passive, active and physicochemical targeting approaches. Some new liposomal formulations are undertaking laboratory evaluations. With regard to clinical application, tens of drug liposomes have been approved for clinical use meanwhile a number of drug liposomes are undergoing clinical trial evaluations. During clinical trials and uses, the liposomes have been evidenced having an optimal drug delivery efficiency and better efficacy, despite the anticancer drug liposomes may lead to new side effects like hand-foot syndrome. The drug liposomes can be enriched into the tumor site, hence demonstrating a better efficacy and a reduced adverse reaction such as cardiotoxicity. Besides, the liposomal formulations are capable of potentiating efficacy of anticancer drugs by circumventing multidrug resistance of cancers and cancer stem cells, and by transferring drug across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). These new functions have been evidenced in laboratory observations but await for clinical confirmation. The review demonstrates that the liposomes are useful and promising drug delivery systems in the field of chemotherapy.

Keywords:

Liposomes; Drug delivery; Advance; Chemotherapy; Review

Cite the Article:

Hu Y-J, Zeng F, Ju R-J, Lu W-L. Advances in Liposomal Drug Delivery System in the Field of Chemotherapy. Clin Oncol. 2016; 1: 1092.