Liposome-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Targeted Treatment of Breast Cancer

Liposome-based drug delivery systems have emerged as an effective nanotechnological strategy to overcome these limitations by improving drug solubility, stability, pharmacokinetics, and tumor targeting. Liposomes are biocompatible phospholipid vesicles capable of encapsulating both hydrophilic and hydrophobic anticancer agents, enabling controlled drug release and reduced off-target effects. This review provides a comprehensive overview of liposome-based drug delivery systems for targeted treatment of breast cancer. It discusses breast cancer pathophysiology and molecular targets relevant to liposomal design, followed by an in-depth analysis of liposome structure, formulation strategies, and physicochemical properties influencing therapeutic performance. Passive targeting via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, active ligand-mediated targeting, and stimuli-responsive liposomal systems are critically examined. The review further highlights therapeutic applications including liposomal chemotherapeutics, combination drug delivery, and gene/siRNA delivery approaches. In vivo pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, clinical progress of approved liposomal formulations, and ongoing clinical developments are also discussed. Additionally, safety, toxicity, and regulatory considerations are addressed, along with key challenges hindering clinical translation. Finally, emerging trends such as multifunctional liposomes, personalized nanomedicine, and scalable manufacturing strategies are explored. Overall, liposome-based drug delivery systems represent a promising and clinically relevant platform for improving the efficacy and safety of breast cancer therapy.