Liposomal nanomedicines

Liposomal nanoparticles (LNs) encapsulating therapeutic agents, or liposomal nanomedicines, represent an advanced class of drug delivery systems, with several formulations presently on the market and many more in clinical trials. Over the past 20 years, a variety of techniques have been developed for encapsulating both conventional drugs (such as anticancer drugs and antibiotics) and the new genetic drugs (plasmid DNA containing therapeutic genes, antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA) within LNs. If the LNs possess certain properties, they tend to accumulate at sites of disease, such as tumours, where the endothelial layer is 'leaky' and allows extravasation of particles with small diameters. These properties include a diameter centred on 100 nm, a high drug-to-lipid ratio, excellent retention of the encapsulated drug, and a long (> 6 h) circulation lifetime. These properties permit the LNs to protect their contents during circulation, prevent contact with healthy tissues, and accumulate at sites of disease. The authors discuss recent advances in this field involving conventional anticancer drugs, as well as applications involving gene delivery, stimulation of the immune system and silencing of unwanted gene expression. Liposomal nanomedicines have the potential to offer new treatments in such areas as cancer therapy, vaccine development and cholesterol management.