Liposomes for targeted delivery of antithrombotic drugs

Background: Targeted delivery of antithrombotic (thrombolytic) drugs is expected to increase their efficacy and decrease side effects, especially in the case of thrombolytic enzymes. Liposomes, phospholipid nanosized bubbles with a bilayered membrane structure, have drawn a lot of interest as pharmaceutical carriers for drugs and genes. In particular, several attempts have been made to use liposomes as vehicles for antithrombotic agents. Objective: This review analyzes the available data on the application of liposomes, including liposomes targeted by specific ligands, for the delivery of antithrombotic/thrombolytic agents in order to increase their efficacy and decrease side effects. Methods: The papers published on the subject of liposomes loaded with antithrombotic agents, mainly over the last 10 - 15 years, will be discussed. Conclusion: Liposomes loaded with various antithrombotic drugs, though they have been the subject of a significant number of experimental papers, can hardly be considered as real candidates for clinical application in the near future.