Liposomes for Drug Delivery to the Respiratory Tract

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Abstract
This paper provides a review of the current literature pertaining to the pulmonary delivery of liposomes. The technological aspects of delivering liposomes to the lung are discussed, including the characterization of liposome-containing aerosols and the potential advantages and disadvantages of the various methods which have been employed for their generation. Studies have indicated that liposomes can be effectively deposited in the human respiratory tract, wherein they may remain for prolonged periods. A prolonged retention in the airways may markedly alter the pharmacokinetics of liposome associated materials; increasing local concentrations, whilst decreasing levels at sites distant from the lung. The future potential for such systems is discussed, including the possibilities for selective drug delivery to specific cell populations within the lung.