Ligand-modified multifunctional liposome-based targeted delivery platform: a multimodal cancer combination therapy strategy

The combination therapies are significantly more effective than monotherapies in enhancing anticancer efficacy, reducing drug-related toxicity, and lowering the risk of drug resistance in cancer treatment. However, achieving precise delivery of the drugs to the tumor site remains a major challenge. With the deepening exploration of surface-engineered nanocarriers, ligand-modified liposomal drug delivery systems (LLDDS) are constructed by integrating the active-targeting properties of functional ligands (such as peptides, glycans, and aptamers) with the inherent advantages of liposomes. LLDDS show promise for exhibiting strong tumor-targeting capability, improving pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and therapeutic efficacy of anticancer agents, such as chemotherapy drugs, and enabling the multifunctional integration of multiple therapeutic strategies. This review summarizes the development of liposomes and ligand-mediated surface modification strategies. More significantly, the development of multifunctional liposomes, targeted delivery, improved anticancer effectiveness, and possible anticancer mechanisms are highlighted in the discussion of LLDDS's recent advancements for integrated therapy approaches in a variety of malignancies. Lastly, the potential and difficulties of clinical translation in this ever-evolving area are examined.