Liposomes in topical photodynamic therapy.
BACKGROUND
Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) refers to topical application of a photosensitizer onto the site of skin disease which is followed by illumination and results in death of selected cells. The main problem in topical PDT is insufficient penetration of the photosensitizer into the skin, which limits its use to superficial skin lesions. In order to overcome this problem, recent studies tested liposomes as delivery systems for photosensitizers.


METHODS
This paper reviews the use of different types of liposomes for encapsulating photosensitizers for topical PDT. Liposomes should enhance the photosensitizers' penetration into the skin, while decreasing its absorption into systemic circulation. Only few photosensitizers have currently been encapsulated in liposomes for topical PDT: 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), temoporfin (mTHPC) and methylene blue.


CONCLUSIONS
Investigated liposomes enhanced the skin penetration of 5-ALA and mTHPC, reduced their systemic absorption and reduced their cytotoxicity compared with free drugs. Their high tissue penetration should enable the treatment of deep and hyperkeratotic skin lesions, which is the main goal of using liposomes. However, liposomes still do not attract enough attention as drug carriers in topical PDT. In vivo studies of their therapeutic effectiveness are needed in order to obtain enough evidence for their potential clinical use as carriers for photosensitizers in topical PDT.
Apoteka Beograd, Bojanska 16/IV, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. ninadragicevic@hotmail.com
Nina
N
Dragicevic-Curic
Alfred
A
Fahr
D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008081:Liposomes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008652:Mesoporphyrins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes; D008652:Mesoporphyrins; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D000622:Aminolevulinic Acid; C072269:temoporfin