TPGS Decorated Liposomes as Multifunctional Nano-Delivery Systems

Abstract

Liposomes are sphere-shaped vesicles that can capture therapeutics either in the outer phospholipid bilayer or inner aqueous core. Liposomes, especially when surface-modified with functional materials, have been used to achieve many benefits in drug delivery, including improving drug solubility, oral bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and delivery to disease target sites such as cancers. Among the functional materials used to modify the surface of liposomes, the FDA-approved non-ionic surfactant D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) is increasingly being applied due to its biocompatibility, lack of toxicity, applicability to various administration routes and ability to enhance solubilization, stability, penetration and overall pharmacokinetics. TPGS decorated liposomes are emerging as a promising drug delivery system for various diseases and are expected to enter the market in the coming years. In this review article, we focus on the multifunctional properties of TPGS-coated liposomes and their beneficial therapeutic applications, including for oral drug delivery, vaccine delivery, ocular administration, and the treatment of various cancers. We also suggest future directions to optimise the manufacture and performance of TPGS liposomes and, thus, the delivery and effect of encapsulated diagnostics and therapeutics.

Differences in Physico-Chemical Properties and Immunological Response in Nanosimilar Complex Drugs: The Case of Liposomal Doxorubicin

“…Focusing on in vitro toxicity and on the ex vivo immunological effects-in particular, on the complement activation in terms of quantifying the iC3b fragment levels and on the inflammatory response detected by the measurement of selected cytokines/chemokines-we indeed highlighted important differences between the two NBCDs and recognized also the fundamental role of the nanopharmaceutical carrier. Liposomes are well-known delivery systems [3,[43][44][45][46] for, e.g., anti-cancer drugs, and received attention recently as vectors for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Nevertheless, tiny changes of their physico-chemical properties can trigger adverse effects such as CARPA [47].…”

Lipid-based nanoparticles as drug delivery carriers for cancer therapy

“…This mechanism has increased cell growth inhibition (threefold) in PANC-1 cells for CUR (10 μM). The tocotrienol isomer of vitamin E and the T3-T-mPEG 2000 core/corona nanoemulsion have both been shown to increase the effectiveness of gemcitabine (the first-line therapy for PC) (NE) ( 157 ).…”

Vesicular Drug Delivery Systems: Promising Approaches in Ocular Drug Delivery

“…The stealth properties of liposomes are important for topical drug delivery targeting the posterior segment through noncorneal routes [ 44 ]. The FDA-approved non-ionic surfactant D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS), one of the functional materials used to modify the liposome surface, is being used more frequently because of its biocompatibility, lack of toxicity, adaptability to different administration routes, and capacity to improve solubilization, stability, penetration, and overall pharmacokinetics [ 120 ]. The TPGS-modified nanocarriers may improve drug absorption by passively increasing trans-corneal permeability of ocular drugs or by lowering P-gp-mediated efflux and enhancing drug stability [ 121 , 122 ].…”