This review highlights the potential of using liposomes in bioassays. Liposomes consist of nano- or micro-sized, synthetically constructed phospholipid vesicles. Liposomes can be loaded with a number of reporting molecules that allow a dramatic amplification of the detection threshold in bioassays. Liposome-based sensors bind or react with the biological components of targets through the introduction of properly tailored vectors anchored on their external surface. The use of liposome-based formulations allows the set-up of bioassays that are rapid, sensitive, and often suitable for in-field applications. Selected applications in the field of immunoassays, as well as recognition/assessment of corona proteins, nucleic acids, exosomes, bacteria, and viruses are surveyed. The role of magnetoliposomes is also highlighted as an additional tool in the armory of liposome-based systems for bioassays.

The development of an innovative and easy way to run assays for the quantitative detection of DNA present in biological fluids (i.e., blood, urine, and saliva) is of great interest for early diagnosis (e.g., tumors) and personalized medicine. Herein, a new quantitative assay based on the use of highly sensitive carboxyfluorescein-loaded liposomes as signal amplification systems is reported. The method has been tested for the detection of low amounts of DNA sequences. The reported proof of concept exploits a target DNA molecule as a linker between two complementary oligonucleotides. One oligonucleotide is biotinylated at its 3′ end and binds to streptavidin-coupled magnetic beads, whereas the other one is conjugated to a cholesterol molecule incorporated in the phospholipidic bilayer of the fluorescent liposomes. In the presence of the target fragment, the correct formation of a construct takes place as witnessed by a strong fluorescence signal, amplified by dissolving lipidic nanoparticles with Triton X-100. The system is able to detect specific nucleotide sequences with a very low detection threshold of target DNA (tens of picomolar). The assay allows the detection of both single- and double-stranded DNA. Studies performed in human blood serum show the correct assembling of the probe but with a reduction of limit of detection (up to ∼1 nM). This liposome signal amplification strategy could be used not only for the detection of DNA but also for other nucleic acids (mRNA; microRNA) that are difficult to be quantified by currently available protocols.

This study aims to develop poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles with an innovative imaging-guided approach based on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for the treatment of mesothelioma. The herein-reported results demonstrate that PLGA nanoparticles incorporating oligo-histidine chains and the dual Gd/B theranostic agent AT101 can successfully be exploited to deliver a therapeutic dose of boron to mesothelioma cells, significantly higher than in healthy mesothelial cells as assessed by ICP-MS and MRI. The selective release is pH responsive taking advantage of the slightly acidic pH of the tumour extracellular environment and triggered by the protonation of imidazole groups of histidine. After irradiation with thermal neutrons, tumoral and healthy cells survival and clonogenic ability were evaluated. Obtained results appear very promising, providing patients affected by this rare disease with an improved therapeutic option, exploiting PLGA nanoparticles.

This study aims to develop poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles with an innovative imaging-guided approach based on Boron Neutron Capture Therapy for the treatment of mesothelioma. The herein-reported results demonstrate that PLGA nanoparticles incorporating oligo-histidine chains and the dual Gd/B theranostic agent AT101 can successfully be exploited to deliver a therapeutic dose of boron to mesothelioma cells, significantly higher than in healthy mesothelial cells as assessed by ICP-MS and MRI. The selective release is pH responsive taking advantage of the slightly acidic pH of the tumour extracellular environment and triggered by the protonation of imidazole groups of histidine. After irradiation with thermal neutrons, tumoral and healthy cells survival and clonogenic ability were evaluated. Obtained results appear very promising, providing patients affected by this rare disease with an improved therapeutic option, exploiting PLGA nanoparticles.