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Review
. 2025 Feb 18;17(2):276.
doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics17020276.

Navigating the Clinical Landscape of Liposomal Therapeutics in Cancer Treatment

Andreja Kozak  1 , Ernestina Lavrih  1   2 , Georgy Mikhaylov  1 , Boris Turk  1   3 , Olga Vasiljeva  1
Affiliations
Review

Navigating the Clinical Landscape of Liposomal Therapeutics in Cancer Treatment

Andreja Kozak et al. Pharmaceutics. .

Abstract

Liposome-based targeted drug delivery systems represent a significant advancement in pharmaceutical science, offering distinct advantages that enhance the efficacy and safety of various therapies. These versatile carriers can encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, making them particularly valuable in clinical settings. This review explores the critical role of liposomal formulations in improving drug pharmacokinetics and minimizing side effects, especially in oncology, where targeted delivery to tumor cells is essential. Outlining the properties of different types of liposomes, we focus on the effects of these properties on the liposomes' targeting and drug release capabilities through innovative surface modifications and describe the most common methods of liposome preparation and characterization. Furthermore, this review provides an in-depth analysis of the properties and composition of liposomal-based nanocarriers, with a unique focus on ongoing clinical trials and recently approved therapies. It offers a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in pre-clinical research and highlights the critical progress in clinical development, offering insights into the clinical impact and regulatory approvals. Ultimately, this review underscores the transformative potential of liposomal nanocarriers in modern therapeutics, suggesting avenues for future innovations and clinical breakthroughs.

Keywords: cancer treatment; clinical applications; clinical trials; controlled drug release; drug delivery; liposomes.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author Olga Vasiljeva was employed by the company CytomX Therapeutics. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The tumor targeting of the MRI contrast agent Magnevist by LNC-NS-629 in a mouse breast cancer model. Adapted with permission from Mikhaylov et al. (2014) [33].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Different liposome types differing in their lipid composition or surface modifications.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A schematic diagram of liposome preparation. Lipid components dissolved in an organic solvent are dried to form thin lipid films, which are then hydrated with an aqueous solution to produce multilamellar vesicles. (a) Extrusion through a polycarbonate membrane to form unilamellar vesicles with a uniform size. (b) Sonication using a water bath to break down multilamellar vesicles into smaller unilamellar vesicles.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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