jrnls.org logo
Submit

BROWSE ALL JOURNALS

SEE ALL 19 JOURNALS
International Journal of Pharmaceutical InvestigationNOW IN
Review

Targeted Lipid Based Vesicles as Drug Delivery Systems in Cancer Treatment

Narendra Pentu1★, Gaddam Namitha1, Kalluru Udaya Chandrika1, Kolapuri Abhinav Ram1, Venkata Rajesham Vallala2, Ashok Morsu3, Tadikonda Rama Rao1★ Corresponding author

  1. 1Department of Pharmaceutics, CMR College of pharmacy, Hyderabad, Telangana, INDIA.
  2. 2Department of Pharmacology, CMR College of pharmacy, Hyderabad, Telangana, INDIA.
  3. 3Clinical Team manager, PPD part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, 3900 paramount parkway, Morrisville, North Carolina, United States.

CORRESPONDENCE

Narendra Pentu

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, CMR College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, Telangana, INDIA.

narendrapentu@gmail.com

Received: 30-10-2024; Revised: 12-01-2025; Accepted: 25-03-2025.

Volume 15, Issue 3 · pp. 770–776 · PUBLISHED Jul-Sep 2025 · DOI: 10.5530/ijpi.20250171

View on IJPI original site ↗

ABSTRACT

Cancer is not a single disease, it is a multifaced malignant tumor, having ability to develop in any part of our body and it can spread to the distant regions with the high-end cell proliferation within short duration of time. As per WHO statistics in 2023, 1 in 6 deaths occurred globally caused by cancer. Out of the available treatments to treat cancer like surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, stem cell, targeted drug therapy, most promising and lifelong treatment continued by the chemotherapy agents. These drugs continuous usage may leads to the Multi Drug Resistance (MDR) and toxic effects. Application of nano therapeutical treatment with lipid vesicular systems may provide the less toxic effects, increased permeation into tumor cells, avoid the MDR effect. Lipid vesicular systems like liposomes, ethosomes and transferosomes are some of the leading drug delivery systems. Modification on the surface of the lipid layer can change the drug pharmacokinetic properties to achieve the maximum bioavailability and reduce the risk of toxicity. Plant based drugs delivery through the lipid vesicles is the majorly concerned to benefit the cancer patient with the improved nutritional support and less toxic nature of chemical compounds.

KEYWORDS

0% READ

FULL TEXT

INTRODUCTION

The term Cancer is defined by many international organizations that, Cancer is not a single disease it is a multifaced malignant tumor, which develops in any part of our body, and it can spread to the distant regions with the high-end cell proliferation within short duration of time. Abnormal and uncontrollable cell proliferation leads to damage to the organ system in our body (Brown et al., 2023). As per WHO statistics in 2023, 1 in 6 deaths occurred globally caused by cancer. Men are most likely to get lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver cancer, whereas women are more likely to develop breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid cancer. Cancer Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. By modifying the lifestyle factors, we can reduce the risk analysis of the disease. New therapies like stem cell, nanoparticle, natural antioxidant, targeted drug therapy are most favorable cancer treatments to modify the disease state (Debela et al., 2021). Polyphenols and vitamins are the bioactive naturally occurring antioxidants to reduce the free radicals from the circulation. These natural compounds have limited usage due to less bioavailability and unstable at the gastric environment. Most often we came to know the names of plant secondary metabolites like terpenoids, alkaloids and flavonoids act as a natural remedy for cancer treatment (Chikara et al., 2018; Ding et al., 2022; Dutta, 2007).

The present study was aimed to review Nano vesicular systems to treat cancer. Vesicular systems are the carriers to encapsulate the drug particles and genetic materials to reach the target site with high efficiency. Vesicles are the concentric poly lamellar structures to load the hydrophilic, hydrophobic drug components, Nano sized particles are depicted as the Nano vesicular systems. 10-9 m is equal to the one Nano meter (Trucillo, 2021; Kapoor et al., 2023). Vesicles are made up of phospholipids or amphiphiles.

Vesicle formation mechanism includes the thermodynamic principles, molecular geometry and elastic nature of lipids. When the solute particles are dissolved in solvent, it can increase the entropy of the solution (Kapoor et al., 2023) Hence interaction free energy was increased. Lamellarity of vesicles depict the nature of vesicles, some of the systems have the uniflagellar and multilamellar structures. Thin layer formation depends on the nature of components and their solubility in various solvents. Self-assembly of lipids at a particular concentration is achieved by mixing with the aqueous layers. Incorporation of large quantities of the drug components and the enlargement of the layer size, lamellarity depends on the surface charge of the particles. Charge may play a key role in the attraction, repelling nature of the layers. Multi lamellar vesicles are ruptured by sonication to reduce the particle size. Particle shape also plays a key role in the absorption and penetration mechanism of the vesicles in to the biological barrier systems (Has and Pan, 2021; Biju et al., 2006).

Liposomes

Alec Bingham proposed a drug carrier system; it is almost 60 years before named as liposomes. Which are prepared by the dispersion of phospholipids in aqueous environment tends to form a concentric bilayer system ready to incorporate the drugs, diagnostic agents and DNA material. Apart from applications, there are several drawbacks related to its early clearance from the circulation and engulfed by the Reticule endothelial system of the liver. Standard storage conditions are needed to restore their properties for better effectiveness. Lipid peroxidation is the major concern related to its stability problems. 1965 is the liposomal discovered year, after this up to 2024 there are several changes got implemented to restore the therapeutically properties of the lipid compositions (Torchilin, 2005). (Figure 1 indicating the liposomal types based on structural features).

Figure 1: Types of Liposomes based on structure.

SUV-Small Uni Lamellar vesicles (around 100 nm); LUV- Large Uni Lamellar Vesicles (200 to 800 nm); GUV- Giant Uni Lamellar Vesicles; MLV- Multi Lamellar Vesicles (500 to 5000 nm). (Figure 1 represents the types of liposomes).

Liposomes are delivered its drug components into the cytoplasm based on several mechanisms like, lipid membrane ruptured at the site of contact with the cell plasma membrane to deliver its drug contents through the micro pinocytosis, adsorption of liposomes on the surface of the cell membrane to deliver the drug without any specification. The endocytosis mechanism of cell initiate by the attachment of viral components on the surface of liposomal membrane, this can allow the drug efflux into the cytoplasm. Modifications on the surface of the liposomes gives target specific nature to the liposomes, long circulation with the binding of hydrophilic polymers increase the time of spending in circulation, attachment of barium labelled liposomes on the surface to monitor their movement in body cavities as diagnostic agents, positively charged liposomes are bind to the DNA material for easy transfection mechanism (Pande, 2023; Agnusdei et al., 2024).

Surface of liposomes modified with attachment of proteins and peptides like Mobs, Fabs to specifically bind to the pathological target area (Table 1 represents the various types of liposomes based on specific functional category). Gene delivery also possible by polycationic nature of liposomes achieved by the acetylated polyethylene imine where cetylated end bind with surface and due to positive charge, it can anchor to DNA (Menon et al., 2024; Jahan et al., 2024).

Table 1: Types of liposomes based on surface modification and its specifications.
Type of LiposomesSpecification
Long circulating liposomesSurface of liposomes grafted with polymers.
Immune liposomesLiposome surface attached with antibody and bind to the specific region of body parts where antigen is present.
pH sensitive liposomesLiposome added with the pH sensitive polymers to stick to the cytoplasm of membrane in cell.

Administration of liposomes possible in various routes, Oral route (Chitosan-insulin liposomes), aerosol liposomes were developed after drying mechanism of liposomes came into force (Aerosolized budesonide liposomes in asthma treatment in mice), Transdermal delivery of liposomes are effectively work in the skin related diseases, subcutaneous delivery of liposomes to target lymphatic systems (methotrexate to target lymphatic system), liposomes are capable of producing the humoral, cellular immune responses to the liposomal antigens (Torre et al., 2015).

Liposomal applications in cancer treatment

Cancer treatment has several stages with modified Therapeutical treatment with various approaches. Out of the all-cancers Prostate and breast cancer are the most commonly present cancers in men and women with respective to lung cancer (Siegel et al., 2023). TNM staging system is the most widely used cancer staging system to know the severity of the cancer to assess the size of Tumor (T), the involvement of regional Nodes (N) and evidence of distant Metastasis (M) (Saraswathy and Gong, 2013). Chemotherapy is the most widely used economical therapy out of all the treatments available. (Liposomes used in cancer treatment showcased in Table 2) Due to multi drug resistance system in cancer patients most of the drug combinations are dissolved in the biological cavities. MDR occurred by the drug efflux with ATP binding cassette membrane transporters (Marin et al., 2012; Chen et al., 2024; El-Tanani et al., 2024).

Table 2: Liposomal drug formulations with cancer application.
Liposomal formulationDrugComposition of liposomesAdvantage of liposomal formulationCancer type
DoxilDoxorubicinHSPC: Chol: MPEG 2000 DSPEReduces cardiotoxicity and MyelotoxicityUsed in Combinational therapy to treat Ovarian, breast cancer (Rommasi and Esfandiari, 2021).
MarqiboVincristineSphingomyelin: CholesterolLong circulation, high permeability.Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (Choudhury, 2020; Wang et al., 2016)
Liposomal BortizomidBortizomidDSPC: MPEG 2000 DSPE: Chol (60:5:35)Increase plasma concentration and reduce clearance.Multiple myeloma (Zhang et al., 2023).
Liposomal PaclitaxelPaclitaxelEgg PC: Chol: TPGS1000-TPP (88:3.5:8.5)To treat multi drug resistance.Lung cancer (Zhou et al., 2013).
DaunorubicinDanorubicinDSPC: Chol (2:1)Reduce cardiotoxicity.Kaposi’s Sarcoma (Petre and Dittmer, 2007; Olusanya et al., 2018).
AmBisomeAmphotericin BNegatively charged PC: CholIncrease the residence timeMyeloma (Medina et al., 2004; Cattel et al., 2003).

Therapeutical efficacy of the most of the chemotherapeutic agents is limited by the rapid metabolism, drug resistance and toxic side effects (Soliman, 2017; Zhang et al., 2025). Liposomes are the perfect solutions for the above-mentioned demerits of the chemotherapeutic agents, encapsulation of the drugs in the lipid vesicular systems give additional protection to improve solubility, enhanced drug circulation, escape from the endothelial reticulum systems, passive targeting and deposition in tumor cells, reduce the free drug concentration to limit the toxic effects (Fulton et al., 2023; Nsairat et al., 2024; Ali et al., 2024). (Figure 2 represents the liposomal advances in cancer therapy).

Figure 2: Liposomal advantages in cancer drug delivery systems.

Ethosomes

Ethosomes are the lipid vesicular systems with chief constituent of Ethanol solvent to improve the flexibility of the vesicles to cross over the stratum corneum layer. The exact mechanism of using ethanol is, it can dissolve the Phospholipids of the skin layers by reducing the transition temperature of the lipids (Sguizzato et al., 2023). By modifying the temperature of the lipids may leads to loss its rigid nature to block the elements entering in to the skin layers, further pave the pathway to penetrate the drug components in to vasculature of dermal layers (Gupta et al., 2024). Basicallly ethosomes are classified into three types based on the composition of the vesicles, like classical, binary and transethososmes (Chauhan et al., 2022; Razavi et al., 2015; Touitou et al., 2000). (Figure 3 represents the types of ethosomes).

Figure 3: Classification of Ethosomes and their composition.

Ethosomes are prepared by the COLD and HOT methods. COLD method includes preparation of two solvent phases at 30ºC by mixing drug, phospholipids in ethanol in solvent. HOT method includes drug, ethanol and propylene glycol phase should maintain at 40ºC and add with aqueous phase which includes phospholipids (Jafari et al., 2023). Ethosomes are characterized by the SEM/ TEM to know the morphology and surface characteristics (Alfehaid et al., 2024). Entrapment efficiency by Ultra centrifuge which will rotate up to 20000rpm to separate the vesicles from the unentrapped drug content to know the actual drug concentration entrapped in the vesicle structures. When charge inducers are induced into the formulation, measurement of the surface charge of vesicles are performed by the Zeta potential equipment (Barupal et al., 2010).

These formulations are mainly intended for the transdermal delivery of the drug products. Skin delivery of ethosomes used for the Melanoma cancer treatment to restore the mutation of melanoma cells which are essential to produce the melanin to protect skin from UV radiation (Cláudia et al., 2021; Mahajan et al., 2024). There are various stages of melanoma form stage I to IV as described, from initial stage to stage III, the melanoma cells enlarged to occupy the lymph nodes region from skin surface. Further cancer cell is spread to the other skin regions and organs nearby called metastasis (Shinde et al., 2023).

Transferosomes

Transferosomes are first identified by civic in 1992, with property of elasticity in nano-vesicular structure (Garg et al., 2016). These vesicles are smaller in size to squeeze through the skin pores by deformation of its structure and again it reforms to regain the actual structural features (Honeywell-Nguyen and Bouwstra, 2005). Skin has the 1.8 m2 surface area to deliver the drug particles and so far, very a smaller number of drugs are delivered by this route of administration in to the systemic circulation due to barrier function of the outermost layer of skin (Touitou, 2023). Composition of the transferosomes includes phospholipids, surface activators (surfactants) like Spans, Tweens, sodium deoxycholate, diacetyl phosphate are so far reported for the preparation (Dmello et al., 2023; Firdos et al., 2024). Based on the hydration gradient difference between different layers of skin, the drug delivery system transport the drug particles in to the deeper layers. Surfactants are the agents which reduce the contact within the surface regions of transferosomes and skin cells to make adaptation of that particular environment condition for easy travel into skin regions (composition of transferosomes in Table 3). Destabilizing elements and stabilizing compounds both simultaneously act to change the orientation of the particle to accommodate in the pocket size of the gap present between the corneocytes (Hua, 2015; Jain et al., 2017; Cevc and Gebauer, 2003; Cevc and Blume, 1992).

Table 3: Transferosomes compositions with application in the vesicular formulation.
Components of TransferosomesExamplesUses
PhospholipidsSoya phosphatidyl choline, Dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline, Dipteral phoshatidyl cholineVesicles forming component
SurfactantSod, Cholate, Sod, deoxycholate, tween-80, span-80For providing flexibility
AlcoholEthanol, MethanolAs a solvent
Buffering agentSaline phosphate buffer [pH 6.4]As a hydrating medium
DyeRhodamine-123, Rhodamine-DHPE, Fluorescein-DHPE NileredFor CSLM study

Lipid vesicles are formulated by various methods like, Hand shaking method to evaporate the solvent after proper dissolution of the lipids to form multi lamellar vesicles type structure, its structure reduced by sonication (Opatha et al., 2020; Firdos et al., 2024). Reverse phase evaporation method to mix both the aqueous (with surfactant), organic phase (phospholipids) with sonication up to 30 min for complete miscibility of the layers where organic solvent evaporated under reduced pressure (Malakar et al., 2012). Sonication method, used to vibrate the solution by ultra sonicator for a particular period of time. Ethanol injection method indicates the organic soluble lipids with surfactant solubilized in the organic solvent and inject dropwise into the aqueous solvent where the drug dissolves. The freeze thaw method is used to perform after formulation of transferosomes by exposing to the various temperatures to sudden increases and decrease.

Transferosomes are important in the treatment of cancer (Table 4 represents the cancer applications of transferosomes), especially when it comes to applying medications topically for skin cancer. Phytoceuticals, biomacromolecules and chemotherapy can all be made more effective by penetrating the epidermal barrier with these ultra-deformable vesicles. This is particularly crucial for skin cancer since topical administration might lessen adverse effects and enhance the effectiveness of treatment.

Table 4: Transferosome drug formulations with cancer application.
DrugComposition of liposomesAdvantage of Transferosome formulationCancer type
ApigeninPC, Tween80, Rhodamine.Improve the permeation characteristics.Melanoma cancer (Jangdey et al., 2017)
5-fluorouracilSolvent evaporation method, SPC, CHOL, SDC, Sephadex G 150.Improve the skin permeation of drug to treat keratosis.Non-melanoma skin cancer (Alvi et al., 2011).
MethotrexateSoya lecithin and cholesterolSkin penetrationNon- melanoma skin cancer (Gayathri and Sangeetha, 2022).
Soya lecithin, sodium cholate, pluronic F-68, DDTCSkin penetration increased by the edge activator.Non- melanoma cancer (Gupta and Trivedi, 2015).
PaclitaxelPC, Ethanol, Chloroform, Span 80.High controlled release of drug form transfrosomal gel formulation.Melanoma cancer (Raahulan et al., 2019)
CarvedilolSPC, HPC, Tween 80, Sodium cholate, DSPC.Controlled release upto 24 hr.Melanoma and non-melanoma cancer (Chen et al., 2020).
Tofacitinib citrateSoya lecithin and cholesterol.More percentage of drug release when compared to actual drug.Non-melanoma cancer (Gayathri et al., 2022).

Better Penetration

Transferosomes have the ability to penetrate epidermal barriers, allowing drugs to reach deeper levels.

Targeted Delivery

By focusing on cancer cells, they can lessen harm to healthy cells.

Combination Therapy

Photodynamic and chemotherapeutic combinations are two examples of how transferosomes can be used to deliver several medications.

Less Side Effects

Topical administration reduces systemic side effects, which makes the course of treatment more bearable.

CONCLUSION

Vesicular systems are the key particulate colloidal drug delivery systems to modify the drug release characteristics and improve the stability of the drug particles. Targeted action is more important in cancer treatment to achieve higher drug concentration with minimal side effects. Except liposomes, ethosomes and transferosomes are used to deliver the drug through the skin layers to treat melanoma/ non- melanoma skin cancer. Plant secondary metabolites having more specific activity against cancer treatment and that can be achieved by delivering these compounds in vesicular structures to overcome their drug degradation characteristics when given in oral route.

REFERENCES

As published

Showing references and in-text citations exactly as published.

  1. 1.Agnusdei, A.; Maurelli, A. M.; Gerin, D.; Monopoli, D.; Pollastro, S.; Catucci, L. et al. Fungicide-loaded liposomes for the treatment of fungal diseases in agriculture: An assessment of Botrytis cinerea. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024;25(15):Article 8359. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25158359DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  2. 2.Alfehaid, F. S.; Nair, A. B.; Shah, H.; Aldhubiab, B.; Shah, J.; Mewada, V. et al. Enhanced transdermal delivery of apremilast loaded ethosomes: Optimization, characterization and in vivo evaluation. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 2024;91:Article 105211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2023.105211DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  3. 3.Ali, M. S.; Jha, S. K.; Gupta, G.; Alsayari, A.; Wahab, S.; Kesharwani, P.. Advancements in 5-fluorouracil-Loaded liposomal nanosystems: A comprehensive review on recent innovations in nanomedicine for cancer therapy. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. 2024;96:Article 105730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2024.105730DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  4. 4.Alvi, I. A.; Madan, J.; Kaushik, D.; Sardana, S.; Pandey, R. S.; Ali, A.. Comparative study of transfersomes, liposomes and niosomes for topical delivery of 5-fluorouracil to skin cancer cells: Preparation, characterization, in vitro release and cytotoxicity analysis. Anti-Cancer Drugs. 2011;22(8):774–782. https://doi.org/10.1097/CAD.0b013e328346c7d6DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  5. 5.Barupal, A. K.; Gupta, V.; Ramteke, S.. Preparation and Characterization of ethosomes for Topical delivery of aceclofenac. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2010;72(5):582–586. https://doi.org/10.4103/0250-474X.78524DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  6. 6.Brown, J. S.; Amend, S. R.; Austin, R. H.; Gatenby, R. A.; Hammarlund, E. U.; Pienta, K. J.. Updating the definition of cancer. Molecular Cancer Research. 2023;21(11):1142–1147. https://doi.org/10.1158/1541-7786.MCR-23-0411DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  7. 7.Cattel, L.; Ceruti, M.; Dosio, F.. From Conventional to Stealth liposomes a new Frontier in Cancer Chemotherapy [Journal]. Tumori. 2003;89(3):237–249. https://doi.org/10.1177/030089160308900302DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  8. 8.Cevc, G.; Blume, G.. Lipid vesicles penetrate into intact skin owing to the transdermal osmotic gradients and hydration force. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. 1992;1104(1):226–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-2736(92DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  9. 9.Cevc, G.; Gebauer, D.. Hydration-driven transport of deformable lipid vesicles through fine pores and the skin barrier. Biophysical Journal. 2003;84(2 Pt 1):1010–1024. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3495(03DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  10. 10.Chauhan, N.; Vasava, P.; Khan, S. L.; Siddiqui, F. A.; Islam, F.; Chopra, H. et al. Ethosomes: A novel drug carrier. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2022;82:Article 104595. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104595DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  11. 11.Chen, J.; Hu, S.; Sun, M.; Shi, J.; Zhang, H.; Yu, H. et al. Recent advances and clinical translation of liposomal delivery systems in cancer therapy. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2024;193:Article 106688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106688DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  12. 12.Chen, M.; Shamim, M. A.; Shahid, A.; Yeung, S; andresen, BT; Wang, J et al. Topical delivery of carvedilol loaded nano-transfersomes for skin cancer chemoprevention. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(12):1–17.GOOGLE SCHOLAR
  13. 13.Chikara, S.; Nagaprashantha, L. D.; Singhal, J.; Horne, D.; Awasthi, S.; Singhal, S. S.. Oxidative stress and dietary phytochemicals: Role in cancer chemoprevention and treatment. Cancer Letters. Elsevier Ireland Limited. 2018;413:122–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2017.11.002DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  14. 14.Choudhury, A.. Liposome: A carrier for effective drug delivery. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Research. 2020;8(1):22–28. https://doi.org/10.18231/j.joapr.2019.v.8.i.1.003DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  15. 15.Debela, D. T.; Muzazu, S. G. Y.; Heraro, K. D.; Ndalama, M. T.; Mesele, B. W.; Haile, D. C. et al. New approaches and procedures for cancer treatment: Current perspectives. SAGE Open Medicine. Sage Publications, Ltd. 2021;9:Article 20503121211034366. https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121211034366DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  16. 16.Ding, Y.; Wang, L.; Li, H.; Miao, F.; Zhang, Z.; Hu, C. et al. Application of lipid nanovesicle drug delivery system in cancer immunotherapy. Journal of Nanobiotechnology. 2022;20(1):214. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-022-01429-2DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  17. 17.Dmello, M. M.; Shaikh, S.; Vishwakarma, S.; Wais, M.. A review on transferosomes as novel topical technique for drug delivery. International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development. 2023;6(1):116–122.GOOGLE SCHOLAR
  18. 18.Dutta, R. C.. Drug carriers in pharmaceutical design: Promises and progress. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2007;13(7):761–769. https://doi.org/10.2174/138161207780249119DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  19. 19.El-Tanani, M.; Nsairat, H.; Aljabali, A. A.; Matalka, I. I.; Alkilany, A. M.; Tambuwala, M. M.. Dual-loaded liposomal carriers to combat chemotherapeutic resistance in breast cancer. Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery. 2024;21(2):309–324. https://doi.org/10.1080/17425247.2024.2311812DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  20. 20.Firdos, L.; Haranath, C.; Yasaswini, S.; Sai, R. N.; Satish, T.. Exploring transferosomes: A comprehensive review of novel strategies and applications in drug delivery. Journal of Young Pharmacists. 2024;16(3):410–415. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2024.16.53DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  21. 21.Fulton, M. D.; Najahi-Missaoui, W.. Liposomes in cancer therapy: How did we start and where are we now. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023;24(7):6615. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24076615DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  22. 22.Garg, V.; Singh, H.; Bimbrawh, S.; Singh, S. K.; Gulati, M.; Vaidya, Y. et al. Ethosomes and transfersomes: Principles, perspectives and practices. Current Drug Delivery. 2017;14(5):613–633. https://doi.org/10.2174/1567201813666160520114436DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  23. 23.Gayathri, H.; Sangeetha, S.. Pharmaceutical development of methotrexate loaded transferosomal gel for skin cancer by doe approach. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results. 2022a;2456–2468.GOOGLE SCHOLAR
  24. 24.Gayathri, H.; Sangeetha, S.. Design and development of tofacitinib citrate loaded transferosomal gel for skin cancer by box-Behnken design-doe approach. International Journal of Health Sciences. 2022b;6:3119–3140. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6nS6.10118DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  25. 25.Gupta, P.; Kushwaha, P.; Hafeez, A.. Development and characterization of topical ethosomal gel for improved antifungal therapeutics. Journal of Molecular Liquids. 2024;405:Article 125111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2024.125111DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  26. 26.Gupta, V.; Trivedi, P.. Ex vivo localization and permeation of cisplatin from novel topical formulations through excised pig, goat and mice skin and in vitro characterization for effective management of skin-cited malignancies. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology. 2015;43(6):373–382. https://doi.org/10.3109/21691401.2014.893523DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  27. 27.Has, C.; Pan, S.. Vesicle formation mechanisms: An overview. Journal of Liposome Research. Taylor & Francis Limited. 2021;31(1):90–111. https://doi.org/10.1080/08982104.2020.1730401DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  28. 28.Honeywell-Nguyen, P. L.; Bouwstra, J. A.. Vesicles as a tool for transdermal and dermal delivery. Drug Discovery Today. Technologies. Elsevier Limited. 2005;2(1):67–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ddtec.2005.05.003DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  29. 29.Hua, S.. Lipid-based nano-delivery systems for skin delivery of drugs and bioactives. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2015;6:219. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2015.00219DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  30. 30.Jafari, A.; Daneshamouz, S.; Ghasemiyeh, P.; Mohammadi-Samani, S.. Ethosomes as dermal/transdermal drug delivery systems: Applications, preparation and characterization. Journal of Liposome Research. 2023;33(1):34–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/08982104.2022.2085742DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  31. 31.Jahan, S.; Ali, A.; Sultana, N.; Qizilbash, F. F.; Ali, H.; Aqil, M. et al. An overview of phospholipid enriched-edge activator-based vesicle nanocarriers: New paradigms to treat skin cancer. Journal of Drug Targeting. 2024;1–25.GOOGLE SCHOLAR
  32. 32.Jain, S.; Patel, N.; Shah, M. K.; Khatri, P.; Vora, N.. Recent advances in lipid-based vesicles and particulate carriers for topical and transdermal application. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Elsevier. 2017;106(2):423–445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2016.10.001DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  33. 33.Jangdey, M. S.; Gupta, A.; Saraf, S.; Saraf, S.. Development and optimization of apigenin-loaded transfersomal system for skin cancer delivery: In vitro evaluation. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology. 2017;45(7):1452–1462. https://doi.org/10.1080/21691401.2016.1247850DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  34. 34.Kapoor, D. U.; Gaur, M.; Parihar, A.; Prajapati, B. G.; Singh, S.; Patel, R. J.. Phosphatidylcholine (PCL) fortified nano-phytopharmaceuticals for improvement of therapeutic efficacy. Excli Journal. 2023;22:880–903. https://doi.org/10.17179/excli2023-6345DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  35. 35.Mahajan, K.; Sharma, P.; Abbot, V.; Chauhan, K.. Ethosomes as a carrier for transdermal drug delivery system: Methodology and recent developments. Journal of Liposome Research. 2024;34(4):697–714. https://doi.org/10.1080/08982104.2024.2339896DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  36. 36.Malakar, J.; Sen, S. O.; Nayak, A. K.; Sen, K. K.. Formulation, optimization and evaluation of transferosomal gel for transdermal insulin delivery. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2012;20(4):355–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2012.02.001DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  37. 37.Marin, J. J. G.; Sanchez De Medina, F.; Castaño, B.; Bujanda, L.; Romero, M. R.; Martinez-Augustin, O. et al. Chemoprevention, chemotherapy and chemoresistance in colorectal cancer. Drug Metabolism Reviews. 2012;44(2):148–172. https://doi.org/10.3109/03602532.2011.638303DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  38. 38.Medina, O. P.; Zhu, Y.; Kairemo, K.. Targeted liposomal drug delivery in cancer. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2004;10(24):2981–2989. https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612043383467DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  39. 39.Menon, P.; Teo, Y. Y.; Misran, M.. Development and evaluation of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) liposomal gel: Rheology and in vitro drug release properties. Korea-Australia Rheology Journal. 2024;36(1):45–54. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13367-023-00082-xDOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  40. 40.Nsairat, H.; Ibrahim, A. A.; Jaber, A. M.; Abdelghany, S.; Atwan, R.; Shalan, N. et al. Liposome bilayer stability: Emphasis on cholesterol and its alternatives. Journal of Liposome Research. 2024;34(1):178–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/08982104.2023.2226216DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  41. 41.Olusanya, T. O. B.; Haj Ahmad, R. R.; Ibegbu, D. M.; Smith, J. R.; Elkordy, A. A.. Liposomal drug delivery systems and anticancer drugs. Molecules. 2018;23(4):907. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23040907DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  42. 42.Opatha, S. A. T.; Titapiwatanakun, V.; Chutoprapat, R.. Transfersomes: A promising nanoencapsulation technique for transdermal drug delivery. Pharmaceutics. MDPI. 2020;12(9):Article 855. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics12090855DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  43. 43.Paiva-Santos, A. C.; Silva, A. L.; Guerra, C.; Peixoto, D.; Pereira-Silva, M.; Zeinali, M. et al. Ethosomes as nanocarriers for the development of skin delivery formulations. Pharmaceutical Research. 2021;38(6):947–970. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-021-03053-5DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  44. 44.Pande, S.. Liposomes for drug delivery: Review of vesicular composition, factors affecting drug release and drug loading in liposomes. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology. Taylor & Francis Limited. 2023;51(1):428–440. https://doi.org/10.1080/21691401.2023.2247036DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  45. 45.Petre, C. E.; Dittmer, D. P.. Liposomal daunorubicin as treatment for Kaposi’s sarcoma. International Journal of Nanomedicine. 2007;2(3):277–288.GOOGLE SCHOLAR
  46. 46.Raahulan, S.; Sanapalli, B. K.; Karri, V. V.. Paclitaxel loaded transfersomal vesicular drug delivery for the treatment of melanoma skin cancers. International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2019.GOOGLE SCHOLAR
  47. 47.Razavi, H.; Janfaza, S.. Ethosome: A nanocarrier for transdermal drug delivery. Archives of Advances in Biosciences. 2015;6(2):38–43.GOOGLE SCHOLAR
  48. 48.Rommasi, F.; Esfandiari, N.. Liposomal nanomedicine: Applications for drug delivery in cancer therapy. Nanoscale Research Letters. 2021;16(1):95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-021-03553-8DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  49. 49.Saraswathy, M.; Gong, S.. Different strategies to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer. Biotechnology Advances. 2013;31(8):1397–1407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2013.06.004DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  50. 50.Sguizzato, M.; Cortesi, R.. Liposomal and ethosomal gels: From design to application. Gels. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). 2023;9(11):Article 887. https://doi.org/10.3390/gels9110887DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  51. 51.Shinde, P.; Page, A.; Bhattacharya, S.. Ethosomes and their monotonous effects on skin cancer disruption. Frontiers in Nanotechnology. 2023;5:Article 1087413. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnano.2023.1087413DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  52. 52.Siegel, R. L.; Miller, K. D.; Wagle, N. S.; Jemal, A.. Cancer statistics, 2023. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2023;73(1):17–48. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21763DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  53. 53.Soliman, G. M.. Nanoparticles as safe and effective delivery systems of antifungal agents: Achievements and challenges. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. Elsevier. 2017;523(1):15–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2017.03.019DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  54. 54.Talegaonkar, S.; Mishra, P.; Khar, R.; Biju, S.. Vesicular systems: An overview. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2006;68(2):141–153. https://doi.org/10.4103/0250-474X.25707DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  55. 55.Torchilin, V. P.. Recent advances with liposomes as pharmaceutical carriers. Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery. 2005;4(2):145–160. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd1632DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  56. 56.Torre, L. A.; Bray, F.; Siegel, R. L.; Ferlay, J.; Lortet-Tieulent, J.; Jemal, A.. Global cancer statistics, 2012. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2015;65(2):87–108. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21262DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  57. 57.Touitou, E.. Novel cosmetic delivery systems. CRC Press. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003418078DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  58. 58.Touitou, E.; Dayan, N.; Bergelson, L.; Godin, B.; Eliaz, M.. Ethosomes—Novel vesicular carriers for enhanced delivery: Characterization and skin penetration properties. Journal of Controlled Release. 2000;65(3):403–418. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0168-3659(99DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  59. 59.Trucillo, P.. Drug carriers: Classification, administration, release profiles and industrial approach. Processes. 2021;9(3):470. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9030470DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  60. 60.Wang, X.; Song, Y.; Su, Y.; Tian, Q.; Li, B.; Quan, J. et al. Are pegylated liposomes better than conventional liposomes? A special case for vincristine. Drug Delivery. Taylor & Francis Limited. 2016;23(4):1092–1100. https://doi.org/10.3109/10717544.2015.1027015DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  61. 61.Zhang, C.; Kuo, J. C.-T.; Huang, Y.; Hu, Y.; Deng, L.; Yung, B. C. et al. Optimized liposomal delivery of bortezomib for advancing treatment of multiple myeloma. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(12):Article 2674. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15122674DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  62. 62.Zhang, L.; Shi, J.; Zhu, M.-H.; Huang, Y.; Lu, Q.; Sun, P. et al. Liposomes-enabled cancer chemoimmunotherapy. Biomaterials. 2025;313:Article 122801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122801DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR
  63. 63.Zhou, J.; Zhao, W.-Y.; Ma, X.; Ju, R.-J.; Li, X.-Y.; Li, N. et al. The anticancer efficacy of paclitaxel liposomes modified with mitochondrial targeting conjugate in resistant lung cancer. Biomaterials. 2013;34(14):3626–3638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.01.078DOIGOOGLE SCHOLAR

Cite this article

SELECT FORMAT

Pentu, N., Namitha, G., Chandrika, K. U., Ram, K. A., Vallala, V. R., Morsu, A., & Rao, T. R. (2025). Targeted Lipid Based Vesicles as Drug Delivery Systems in Cancer Treatment. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, 15(3), 770–776. https://doi.org/10.5530/ijpi.20250171