TRANSFORMING THERAPEUTICS WITH STEALTH LIPOSOMES

This review discusses PEGylated liposomes, also known as stealth liposomes, as modern nanocarriers that overcome the limitations of traditional drug delivery systems and pave the way for precision therapeutics. The article highlights that PEGylation gives stealth properties that include a significant increase in blood circulation time, greater stability, reduced immunogenicity, and improved passive tumor accumulation due to better permeability and retention. It also allows to achieve active targeting through ligand conjugation. The main sections cover the composition and mechanism of PEGylated liposomes, and their successful applications in cancer treatment, antimicrobial therapy, vaccines and immunotherapy, gene therapy, fungal infections, and autoimmune diseases. The review also discusses novel advancements, such as RNA loaded liposomes, while acknowledging critical challenges like accelerated blood clearance. In conclusion, despite facing significant challenges, PEGylated liposomes remain a key element of nanomedicine. Continued improvement in formulation, targeting strategies, and manufacturability will expand the impact beyond oncology to infectious, autoimmune, and genetic diseases.