Liposomes are spherical, microscopic vesicles formed by one or more phospholipid bilayers enclosing an aqueous core, a structure that closely resembles a biological cell membrane. This amphiphilic architecture allows them to encapsulate hydrophilic agents within the inner aqueous compartment and lipophilic agents wi…
Liposomes are spherical, microscopic vesicles formed by one or more phospholipid bilayers enclosing an aqueous core, a structure that closely resembles a biological cell membrane. This amphiphilic architecture allows them to encapsulate hydrophilic agents within the inner aqueous compartment and lipophilic agents within the bilayer, making liposomes among the most versatile platforms in pharmaceutical science and drug delivery. By packaging drugs inside a biocompatible carrier, they can protect cargo from degradation, control release, alter biodistribution, and reduce off-target toxicity. Their behaviour is governed by membrane composition, size, surface charge, and physical and thermal stability, all of which influence circulation time and delivery efficiency. A key strategy is surface modification with polyethylene glycol, producing PEGylated, or stealth, liposomes that resist rapid clearance by the immune system and prolong systemic exposure. Liposomes and related lipid assemblies are engineered for targeted and stimulus-responsive delivery, including pH-sensitive systems designed to release their payload in the acidic microenvironment of tumours, an approach explored for cancers such as gynaecological malignancies. Polymerizable and modified formulations are studied to enhance stability and functional properties such as photoactivity. As a foundational tool in nanomedicine, liposomes underpin efforts to improve the safety, specificity, and effectiveness of therapeutics across a broad range of diseases.
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The 6 articles above have been cited 49 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
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