Smart Lipid Vesicles as Theranostic Tools: Insights into TransferosomeEngineering for Transdermal Systems

Introduction: Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems (TDDS) represent a major advancement in drug administration, offering a non-invasive alternative to oral and injectable routes. This system enables controlled release of therapeutic agents through the skin directly into the bloodstream, bypassing first-pass metabolism and boosting bioavailability. Methods: This review was drawn up by conducting a comprehensive literature search in scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for articles published between 2000 and 2025 using the keywords transdermal drug delivery, nanocarriers, liposomes, niosomes, transferosomes, ethosomes, invasomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and nanocrystals. Results: However, limitations such as low permeability for large and hydrophobic molecules have driven the development of new nanotechnologies. Nano-based systems like microemulsions, niosomes, liposomes, ethosomes, and transferosomes are promising strategies to overcome these barriers. Discussion: Microemulsions improve drug solubility and permeation thanks to their small droplet size, while niosomes and liposomes enhance drug stability and allow for controlled release. Ethosomes, with their ethanol-enhanced flexibility, enable deeper skin penetration, and transferosomes can deform and pass through narrow pores, overcoming the skin’s natural barrier Conclusion: These innovations improve drug delivery by increasing skin penetration, protecting active ingredients from degradation, and supporting targeted, sustained release. Incorporating these nanotechnologies into TDDS has the potential to revolutionize drug delivery and provide more effective, patient-friendly treatments. Ongoing research and clinical trials continue to explore these systems’ full potential, aiming to improve their effectiveness, safety, and suitability for treating a wide range of diseases.