Scientists are not only aiming to provide early and accurate diagnosis of a disease, but are also trying to minimize side effects. Experts from the University of Delaware and North Dakota State University ascertain dual-purpose liposome to help determine precise diagnosis and drug delivery. Currently the investigators are trying to develop lipid bilayer encapsulated liposomes.
It has been predicted that liposome once inserted into the human body and delivered to a specific target can give out exact diagnosis of a cancerous tumor. This liposome may also inform about drug delivery to fight that tumor. Liposome may also be designed for revealing greater use of ultrasound imaging. Usually ultrasound is seemingly employed to scan into the body and give images vital for modern health care. Ultrasound probably works by a pulsing high frequency sound beyond the upper limit of human hearing.
“The liposomes are excellent agents for medical purposes because of their close structural resemblance with animal cells, and can be loaded with drugs and genes to be delivered to target tissues,” elucidatedKausik Sarkar, associate professor in the University of Delaware Department of Mechanical Engineering.
The researchers aim to devise liposomes that are echogenic, containing gases to reflect ultrasound and appear in ultrasound images. Liposomes are further anticipated for being encapsulated with specially designed molecules. These molecules are assumed to attach with target enzymes expressed in plaques or cancerous tumors.
By liposomes encapsulation a precise ultrasound diagnosis of the disease can be seemingly provided. At the same time, reaction with the enzymes can possibly expose the liposomes and release the contained drug to only the target tissue. So employing liposomes for targeting along with enzyme and controlling drug delivery by releasing an inhibitor seems to be beneficial.