Application of Liposome-Based Drug Co-Delivery System for the Reversal of Multidrug Resistance in Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Chemotherapy is curative treatment for many types of cancers. However, cancer cells resistance against chemotherapeutics usually leads to reduced efficacy and treatment failure of therapy. Combination therapy is commonly regarded as an efficient solution for reversing drug resistence. However, coordinating cellular uptake and the pharmacokinetics is a major challenge for cancer combination therapies. Nanoparticle based carrier has recently been recognized as an efficent delivery system for co-delivery of combined drugs. The combined therapeutic payloads and co-agents could be effectively co-delivered and accumulated in malignant cells by nanoparticulate system to overcome resistance. Liposomes are one of the most popular delivery vehicles and many liposome-based drug products have been approved by regulatory agencies for human use and several liposomal formulations are under clinical trials. In this review article, we will focus on liposome based combinational strategies that have been developed regarding chemotherapeutic drug with MDR modulator, two chemotherapeutic agents and chemotherapeutic drug with gene agents for overcoming drug resistance. Lastly, we summarized the current perspectives and challenges for the co-delivery system.