Liposomal Paclitaxel In Breast Cancer Therapy: Advances, Clinical Insights, and Future Perspectives

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, and conventional chemotherapy with paclitaxel (PTX) is limited by poor solubility, systemic toxicity, and suboptimal tumor targeting. Liposomal formulations of PTX have emerged as promising nanocarrier-based strategies to overcome these challenges by enhancing drug solubility, improving pharmacokinetics, reducing adverse effects, and enabling targeted delivery. This review provides a comprehensive overview of PTX liposomal formulations, including conventional, PEGylated, targeted, and stimuli-responsive liposomes, with emphasis on their composition, preparation methods, and optimization parameters. Clinical and preclinical studies, including recent advances (2024–2025), highlight improved cellular uptake, antitumor efficacy, and safety profiles compared to conventional PTX. The review also discusses approved formulations (e.g., Lipusu®), ongoing clinical trials, and combination therapy approaches. Finally, challenges related to scale-up, stability, regulatory approval, and clinical translation are addressed, alongside emerging trends such as smart liposomes, hybrid nanocarriers, and personalized therapy. Collectively, liposomal PTX represents a promising platform for enhancing therapeutic outcomes in breast cancer, with ongoing research paving the way for next-generation, safer, and more effective chemotherapy strategies.