Table 3 Utilizing liposome as a theranostic agent in cancer

Therapeutic LPs with d-alpha-tocopheryl PEG 1000 succinate mono-ester coatings

MCF-7 breast cancer (BC) cells

QDs laser scanning microscopy

Docetaxel

The population standard deviations of the non-targeted LPs (DTX-QD) and the targeting LPs (DTX-QDFA) batches were 202.3 ± 0.3 and 210.5 ± 0.6 nm, respectively, when produced using the solvent injection technique. The drug encapsulation efficiencies of DTX-QD and DTX-QDFA multi-functional LPs were 50.53 ± 0.34 and 54.18 ± 0.62%, respectively. The QDs encapsulation efficiencies of non-targeting multifunctional LPs and targeting multifunctional LPs were found to be 23.97 ± 0.41 and 22.10 ± 0.70%, respectively

Both non-targeting and folate receptor-targeting theranostic LPs were produced by using the solvent injection approach. Targeting multifunctional LPs was shown to be more effective than non-targeting LPs, suggesting great potential to improve cancer imaging and treatment

[121]

Theranostic nanodelivery method based on LPs for (Ru(phen)2dppz)(ClO4)2 (Lipo-Ru)

MDA-MB-231 BC

DNA binding and delivery of Ru-complexes fluorescent emission

Lipo-Ru therapy

The Ru-complex was then encapsulated using LPs composed of DPPC, cholesterol, and distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE)-PEG. The NPs typically have an average size of 82.53 ± 2.66 nm. Compared to empty LPs, Lipo-Ru was somewhat smaller and had a much greater ζ-potential

When incorporated into the DNA helix or the hydrophobic lipid bilayer of the delivery vehicle, this ruthenium polypyridine complex produces a strong fluorescence signal that reveals the therapeutic medicine inside tumor tissues. Upon the addition of Lipo-Ru to MDA-MB-231 BC cells, double-strand DNA breaks result, and these breaks ultimately lead to apoptosis

[123]

Lip-AIPH is a LP loaded with 2,2′-azobis(2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane)dihydrochloride

Hypoxic tumor

Lip-AIPH

Ultrasound imaging

Lip-AIPH

AIPH, lipid 1, 2-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine, amphiphilic PEGylated phospholipids, and cholesterol were self-assembled to load AIPH into the LPs. TEM scans showed that the LP shell had been destroyed and that the size distribution had changed from 100 to 80 nm

As a US-activated theranostic medication, the LP exhibited enhanced US imaging and better anticancer efficacy. It could be helpful for deep tissue penetration hypoxic tumor therapy guided by US imaging

[124]

Melanin@PFH@5-FU-LP

CT-26 tumor-bearing mice

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) Ultrasound imaging

Perfluorohexane (PFH)

The thin film approach was used to create Melanin@PFH@5-FU-LPs using a previously described protocol. Without the addition of PFH, the typical dimensions of melanin@5-FU-LPs were 148.1 ± 7.5 nm. It was verified that the spherical form of the melanin@PFH@5-FU-LPs was due to the presence of an internal PFH emulsion. Within the LP, 5-FU had a loading efficiency of 56.3 ± 4.3% and melanin 57.9 ± 0.1%

Researchers suggested that the melanin@PFH@5-FU-LP, as a desirable agent, may benefit photothermal tumor treatment and ultrasound imaging

[125]