Surface functionalization and targeting strategies of liposomes in solid tumor therapy: A review

Muhammad Kashif Riaz, Muhammad Adil Riaz, Xue Zhang, Congcong Lin, Ka Hong Wong, Xiaoyu Chen, Ge Zhang, Aiping Lu*, Zhijun Yang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

372 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Surface functionalization of liposomes can play a key role in overcoming the current limitations of nanocarriers to treat solid tumors, i.e., biological barriers and physiological factors. The phospholipid vesicles (liposomes) containing anticancer agents produce fewer side effects than non-liposomal anticancer formulations, and can effectively target the solid tumors. This article reviews information about the strategies for targeting of liposomes to solid tumors along with the possible targets in cancer cells, i.e., extracellular and intracellular targets and targets in tumor microenvironment or vasculature. Targeting ligands for functionalization of liposomes with relevant surface engineering techniques have been described. Stimuli strategies for enhanced delivery of anticancer agents at requisite location using stimuli-responsive functionalized liposomes have been discussed. Recent approaches for enhanced delivery of anticancer agents at tumor site with relevant surface functionalization techniques have been reviewed. Finally, current challenges of functionalized liposomes and future perspective of smart functionalized liposomes have been discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Article number195
Number of pages27
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jan 2018

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Catalysis
  • Molecular Biology
  • Spectroscopy
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry

User-Defined Keywords

  • Liposomes
  • Solid tumor
  • Surface functionalization
  • Targeted drug delivery
  • Targeting ligands

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