Tumor targeting using liposomal antineoplastic drugs

Review

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Authors: Jörg Huwyler, Jürgen Drewe, Stephan Krähenbühl

Published Date March 2008 Volume 2008:3(1) Pages 21 - 29

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S1253

Jörg Huwyler¹, Jürgen Drewe², Stephan Krähenbühl²

¹University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Institute of Pharma Technology, Muttenz, Switzerland; ²Department of Research and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland

Abstract: During the last years, liposomes (microparticulate phospholipid vesicles) have beenused with growing success as pharmaceutical carriers for antineoplastic drugs. Fields of application include lipid-based formulations to enhance the solubility of poorly soluble antitumordrugs, the use of pegylated liposomes for passive targeting of solid tumors as well as vector-conjugated liposomal carriers for active targeting of tumor tissue. Such formulation and drug targeting strategies enhance the effectiveness of anticancer chemotherapy and reduce at the same time the risk of toxic side-effects. The present article reviews the principles of different liposomal technologies and discusses current trends in this field of research.

Keywords: tumor targeting, antineoplastic drugs, liposomes, pegylation, steric stabilization, immunoliposomes