Stimuli-responsive nanoliposomes as prospective nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery

Abstract

Site-specific delivery of the therapeutic agents to the target site is the most challenging and most important goal from the clinical point of view. Recently, much effort has been indulged in developing targeted drug delivery systems, especially for tumor, instead of introducing new drugs. Stimuli-nanocarriers are the significant results of these efforts. In this regard, internal stimuli such as temperature, pH, hypoxia, redox potential as well as some external stimuli like ultrasound, light, and magnetic field were exploited. The stimuli-responsive nanocarriers can respond to these internal and external stimuli by release of the encapsulated drug. Among the various nanocarriers, nanoliposomes have emerged as promising drug cargo that has been well investigated. Although the higher accumulation of nanoliposomes in the tumor microenvironment can be achieved via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. However, inefficient drug release and uptake by the endosomes can limit their therapeutic efficacy. Hence, there is a need to develop such stimuli-responsive nanocarriers that can overcome these drawbacks and provides efficient drug delivery to the desired site of action. This review addresses the advantages and mechanisms of the nanoliposomes through which targeted delivery is achieved. Moreover, different targeting approaches with special emphasis on the stimuli-responsive targeting approaches for efficient cancer therapy, and challenges associated with these systems have also been discussed in detail in the current review.