Liposome is one of the most successful drug delivery systems applying nanotechnology topotentiate the therapeutic efficacy and reduce toxicities of conventional medicines. Sincethe first doxorubicin-loaded liposome reached the market, numerous researches have beencarried out to develop new liposomal formulations over the past decade and have givenbirth to a series of commercial products. Therapeutic agents, most of which are anti-cancerdrugs, are encapsulated in the aqueous core or lipid bilayers of liposomes to improve theirdelivery to the targeted tissue. There are several liposomal formulations, such as EndoTAG-1 (paclitaxel-loaded cationic liposomes), Lipoplatin (cisplatin-loaded long circulating liposomes) and Stimuvax (a cancer vaccine), showing promising therapeutic value in clinicalstudies. Besides, new designs including environmentally sensitive liposomes, liposomaldrug combinations and liposomal vaccines are now tested in clinical trials.
