Multi‐Functional Liposome: A Powerful Theranostic Nano‐Platform Enhancing Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

Abstract Although photodynamic therapy (PDT) has promising advantages in almost non‐invasion, low drug resistance, and low dark toxicity, it still suffers from limitations in the lipophilic nature of most photosensitizers (PSs), short half‐life of PS in plasma, poor tissue penetration, and low tumor specificity. To overcome these limitations and enhance PDT, liposomes, as excellent multi‐functional nano‐carriers for drug delivery, have been extensively studied in multi‐functional theranostics, including liposomal PS, targeted drug delivery, controllable drug release, image‐guided therapy, and combined therapy. This review provides researchers with a useful reference in liposome‐based drug delivery.

Keywords

• combined therapy
• drug delivery
• liposomes
• photodynamic therapy
• theranostics