Enhancing antiretroviral efficacy: a comprehensive exploration of liposomal and receptor-targeted drug delivery for HIV

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has revolutionized Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) treatment, yet challenges remain, such as drug toxicity, resistance, and inadequate access to infected tissues. Novel drug delivery systems, such as liposomes and receptor-targeted mechanisms, offer promising solutions to improve ART efficacy and minimize its limitations. This study aims to evaluate the potential of liposomal and receptor-targeted drug delivery systems (DDS) for enhancing the bioavailability, selectivity, and therapeutic outcomes of ART, with a focus on targeting HIV-infected cells and reducing drug resistance. A systematic review of published articles was conducted, drawing from electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Keywords such as “liposomes,” “receptor-targeted drug delivery,” and “HIV” were used to identify preclinical and clinical studies relevant to ART. The studies were evaluated for their design, intervention specifics, and key findings. Data were synthesized narratively to highlight the efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics of these drug delivery systems. Liposomal formulations significantly improved drug bioavailability, with zidovudine (AZT) showing an 85% increase, lamivudine (3TC) 90%, efavirenz (EFV) 80%, and indinavir (IDV) 75%. Galactosylated liposomes were highly effective in targeting infected cells (92%) and showed strong potential in preventing drug-resistant strains (85%). Receptor-targeted approaches, such as those targeting Cluster of Differentiation 4 cells (CD4), Chemokine Receptor Type 5 (CCR5), and Chemokine Receptor Type 4 (CXCR4), enhance the precision of drug delivery and reduce the viral load in HIV reservoirs. Liposomal and receptor-targeted DDS offer significant potential for improving ART efficacy by increasing drug bioavailability, reducing toxicity, and preventing drug resistance. Further research is needed to optimize these technologies and translate their preclinical success into clinical practice, paving the way for more effective HIV therapies.