Among the myriad carrier technologies developed for pharmaceutical application, liposomes hold a uniquely influential position — they are the first nanomedicine platform to achieve widespread clinical acceptance, combining biocompatible lipid bilayer architecture with the capacity to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drug molecules. This review examines the foundational role of liposomes in modern drug delivery, tracing their evolution from basic vesicle research to today’s ligand-targeted, stimuli-responsive formulations. We systematically address classification by lamellarity, size, surface charge, and preparation methodology, and demonstrate how each design parameter governs pharmacokinetic behaviour, circulation longevity, and tissue distribution. Special attention is given to sterically stabilised (PEGylated) liposomes, actively targeted immunoliposomes, and stimuli-triggerable vesicle systems. Mathematical models of drug release from liposomal bilayers are presented alongside clinical correlates. Therapeutic applications spanning oncology, infectious disease, vaccine delivery, dermatology, and gene therapy are surveyed, and a curated summary of FDA-approved liposomal products is provided. The review concludes with emerging frontiers — including liposome–hydrogel hybrids, theranostic vesicles, and oral liposome technologies — and identifies translational bottlenecks limiting broader patient access.
Panwar* et al. (2026) studied this question.