Challenges facing liposome-based targeted delivery of antithrombotic drugs

Haemorrhage is a major risk factor associated with administration of thrombolytic protein drugs. In vivo stability with conventional parenteral administration also remains a concern due to the intrinsic nature of thrombolytic protein drugs. Liposome-based delivery systems have been applied to other drugs in order to reduce toxicity, increase site specific action and protect against protein denaturation, but does the same apply to thrombolytic protein drugs and to what extent? Can liposome-based thrombolytic preparations reap the full benefits of this delivery system?

In the review article entitled “Liposomes for targeted delivery of antithrombotic drugs” Elbayoumi & Torchilin review the major work to date on liposome-based delivery of antithrombotic drugs to vascular pathology sites and provide their own perspective on the future of the field.