pH-sensitive liposomes: mechanism of triggered release to drug and gene delivery prospects

Pharmazie. 2002 Oct;57(10):659-71.

Abstract

A growing amount of literature describes the development and applications of novel targeting and/or release triggering schemes to improve the therapeutic index of drugs encapsulated within liposomes. The composition of liposomal systems can be modified to facilitate site specific release in response to environmental conditions, namely at the gross anatomical level, at the cellular or sub-cellular level. They are designed in order to release their contents in response to acidic pH within the endosomal system while remaining stable in plasma thus improving the cytoplasmic delivery of various polar materials and macromolecules such as anti-tumor drugs, toxins, proteins and DNA. This review covers various aspect of research on pH-sensitive liposomes.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Immunization / methods
  • Immunochemistry
  • Liposomes / chemistry*
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / administration & dosage
  • Phosphatidylcholines / chemistry
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines / chemistry

Substances

  • Liposomes
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • Phosphatidylcholines
  • Phosphatidylethanolamines