Surface Modifications of Liposomes for Drug Targeting

Medical treatment through the use of pharmaceuticals is dependent on the ability of therapeutic agents to reach their intended targets while evading unintended interactions, endosomal sequestration, and degradation. By developing targeted therapies, our treatments of different diseases can be tremendously improved in ways that not only enhance the functionality of relevant drugs, but also improve the patients’ experiences. Liposomes are nanocarriers that encapsulate their payloads, protecting active ingredients from biological environments and degradation. Their use in nanomedicine has the ability to reshape drug administration, from improved specificity and prolonged circulation to decreased cytotoxicity and fewer negative side effects. The efficacy and functionality of liposomes can be further refined and enhanced through surface modification. By conjugating liposomes with various moieties, drug delivery can become a much more targeted process.