Nanohybrid cerasomes: Advancements in targeted drug and gene delivery

Nanohybrid cerasomes represent a significant advancement in the field of drug delivery systems, offering a superior alternative to traditional cerasomes and liposomes. Cerasomes are biocompatible colloidal nanoparticles characterized by an additional polyorganosiloxane network layer that enhances their stability compared to conventional liposomes. The novel hybrid liposomal cerasome, featuring a partial ceramic or silica coating, has garnered substantial interest due to its unique structure. This structure provides better morphological stability than traditional liposomes and, in comparison to silica nanoparticles, significantly reduces overall stiffness and density. By incorporating liposomal architecture, cerasomes achieve greater biocompatibility than silica nanoparticles. This unique combination leverages the benefits of both liposomes and silica nanoparticles while mitigating their respective drawbacks, positioning cerasomes as an optimal drug delivery system. Nanohybrid cerasomes offer extended circulation residence time, enabling more efficient drug delivery to disease sites and facilitating the targeting of specific disease cells. Their potential as intracellular delivery vehicles for proteins, peptides, antisense compounds, ribozymes, and DNA is particularly noteworthy. The presence of a liposomal bilayer structure in cerasomes reduces rigidity and density, enhancing their stability and effectiveness as drug and gene delivery vehicles. This article reviews the techniques for preparing cerasomes and explores their applications in targeted drug and gene delivery systems, highlighting their advantages over conventional liposomes and silica nanoparticles.