TPGS Decorated Liposomes as Multifunctional Nano-Delivery Systems

• Published in: Pharmaceutical research Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 245 - 263
• Main Authors: Farooq, Muhammad Asim, Trevaskis, Natalie L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.01.2023; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: alpha-Tocopherol; Bioavailability; Biochemistry; Biocompatibility; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering; Biomedicine; Drug delivery; Drug delivery systems; Drugs; Homeopathy; Humans; Liposomes; Materia medica and therapeutics; Medical Law; Nanoparticle Drug Delivery System; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Oral administration; Pharmacokinetics; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Pharmacy; Phospholipids; Polyethylene glycol; Polyethylene Glycols; Polyols; Review; Review Article; Solubilization; Surface active agents; Therapeutic applications; Therapeutics; Toxicity; Vehicles; Vincristine; Vitamin E; pharmacokinetics; cancer therapy; drug delivery; D-alpha-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS), liposomes
• ISSN: 0724-8741; 1573-904X; 1573-904X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11095-022-03424-6

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.