Chapter 14 - Thermosensitive liposomes for targeted breast cancer therapy

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive nanocarriers have attracted enormous attention owing to their potential in achieving tumor-specific drug targeting. A thermosensitive liposomal drug-delivery platform, in particular, is designed to stably encapsulate therapeutic agents at physiological temperature and rapidly release the entrapped content at the tumor site triggered by mildly elevated temperature. Compared with traditional liposomal formulations, thermosensitive liposomes in combination with hyperthermia have demonstrated great promise to maximize drug exposure in the tumor and boost anticancer efficacy in preclinical studies. ThermoDox, a lyso-thermosensitive liposomal formulation of doxorubicin developed by Celsion, has been clinically evaluated in patients with advanced solid tumors, including breast cancer. In this chapter, an overview of the role of hyperthermia as a sensitizer for radiotherapy and chemotherapy in breast cancer is provided, in addition to a detailed account of the design and characteristics of thermosensitive liposomes, and a summary of the key findings in preclinical and clinical studies with a focus on targeted breast cancer therapy.