Liposomal drug delivery system for lung diseases: Recent advancement and future perspectives

Lung diseases such as asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, and lung cancer are among the most prevalent and vulnerable health conditions. Various therapeutic approaches, including nucleic acids, peptides, and small molecules have been developed along with different delivery strategies for their treatment. Liposomes have been recognized as promising delivery candidates attributed to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs effectively. Their composition closely resembles pulmonary surfactants and can facilitate targeting deep lung tissue while also allowing localized drug delivery with less systemic exposure. The most rigorously explored route for delivering liposomal formulations to the lungs is inhalation. Additionally, liposomes help combat antimicrobial resistance and enhance targeted drug delivery by utilizing stimuli-responsive liposomes or modifying their physicochemical properties. Herein, we explore the liposomal delivery of different classes of drugs, their therapeutic potential in the treatment of lung disease, and discuss perspectives on clinical translation.