ABSTRACT
Abstract ................................................................................................. 204 7.1 Introduction .................................................................................. 204 7.2 Theranostic Applications of ICG-Liposomes .............................. 210 7.3 Conclusion ................................................................................... 228 Keywords .............................................................................................. 229 References ............................................................................................. 229
SABYASACHI MAITI* and SHALMOLI SETH2
Department of Pharmaceutics, Gupta College of Technological Sciences, Ashram More, G.T. Road, Asansol 713301, West Bengal, India
*Corresponding author. E-mail: sabya245@rediffmail.com
ABSTRACT
The ability of liposomes to encapsulate both diagnostic and therapeutic agents has drawn much attention of the research scientists in utilizing liposomes as nanocarriers for theranostic applications. Because of their unique structure, liposomes can improve the stability of these agents in biological environments and control their delivery to the intended sites, especially to cancer cells. Moreover, the well-known biocompatible characteristics of liposomes can provide better pharmacokinetics and biodistribution profiles of theranostic agents than other nanocarriers in clinical studies. Nearinfrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging has attracted significant attention due to the low absorption and scattering of photons within the NIR region by living tissue. The deeper penetration of NIR fluorescence imaging compared to visible wavelengths widens the possibility of deeper tissue imaging in vivo, as well as long-term imaging without off-target effects of excitation. One potential NIR fluorescence probe is indocyanine green (ICG) that has been approved for clinical use by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Recently, attempts have been made to explore the potential theranostic applications of ICG-liposome nanocarriers. This chapter highlighted recent progress in developing modified liposomes for either diagnostic or therapeutic, as well as theranostic applications.
