Liposome-based drug delivery to alveolar macrophages

Abstract

The recent development of liposomal formulations compatible with aerosol delivery has expanded the potential to utilise chemotherapeutic agents directly targeted to the lungs more effectively. These are agents that would otherwise not be used because of their low solubility or toxicity. Various properties of liposomal carriers, including size, surface charge, composition and the presence of ligands, alter their efficacy and specificity towards alveolar macrophages to a great extent. This editorial summarises the advances in liposome-based drug delivery to alveolar macrophages.