Advances in liposomes in targeted drug therapy

Liposomes are formed through the self-assembly of phospholipids, resulting in a bilayer structure that exhibits both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. This unique structure allows liposomes to carry both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, enhancing drug solubility and stability while minimizing side effects. As a nanoscale drug delivery system, liposomes have shown significant advantages in targeted drug therapy, particularly in cancer treatment. To boost how well liposomal drugs work, these tiny drug delivery vehicles can be guided to tumors using a couple of main strategies. One way is passive targeting, which takes advantage of how long liposomes stick around in the bloodstream and how they tend to build up in sick spots with leaky blood vessels. The other is active targeting, where specific molecules are stuck onto the liposome's surface, allowing them to latch onto particular markers on the cells they're meant to hit.This article reviews the research advancements concerning liposomes in targeted drug therapy, with a focus on their structural characteristics, passive and active targeting mechanisms, and applications in the treatment of various diseases.