User:Sooty Kat/PH-responsive tumor-targeted drug delivery

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Liposomes were first reported as drug-delivery vehicles in the 1960s and are biomimetic nanosomes composed of phospholipid bilayers. Due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, liposomes are a popular choice for pH-responsive tumor-targeted drug delivery. The liposome can be modified to facilitate triggered release in response to acidic environmental conditions. These can be prepared by adding pH-sensitive components to fabricate liposomes. '''pH-responsive liposomes generally consist of weakly acidic amphiphile such as cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHEMS) and cone-shaped lipids such as Dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). DOPE adopts a bilayer structure at neutral pH but forms a hexagonal inverted structure, due to the low hydration of their polar head and neutralization of the negatively charged phosphodiester groups when exposed to acidic conditions, such as tumour sites, leading to destabilization and content release, while remaining stable at physiological pH. ''' pH-responsive liposomes have some significant advantages, such as low toxicity, simple preparation, and good biocompatibility due to the biocompatible degradable components.