Ligand-functionalized liposomal vesicles in breast cancer: advances in targeted nanotherapeutics

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, characterized by molecular heterogeneity, therapeutic resistance, and high recurrence rates that limit the success of conventional treatments. Although chemotherapy and targeted therapies have improved patient outcomes, their effectiveness is often compromised by off-target toxicity, poor tumor selectivity, and multidrug resistance. Liposomal nanocarriers improves drug stability and circulation while enhancing passive tumor accumulation via the EPR effect. However, conventional liposomes exhibit limited cellular internalization and inadequate tumor penetration. Area covered: This review discusses ligand-functionalized liposomes for active targeting in BC. Surface modification with antibodies, peptides, aptamers, carbohydrates, and small molecules enables selective binding to overexpressed receptors, improving cellular uptake and intracellular drug delivery. The literature was screened using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Recent advances in multifunctional systems, including dual-targeting strategies, stimuli-responsive release mechanisms, and combination therapies, are also examined. Conclusion: Ligand-modified liposomes show strong potential to enhance therapeutic precision, pharmacokinetics, and safety. These have the potential of targeted delivery, decreased toxicity, and improved therapeutic effects. However, challenges such as tumor heterogeneity, large-scale manufacturing, and regulatory constraints must be addressed for successful clinical translation.