Engineered Liposomal Nanoplatforms for Precise Cancer Immunotherapy: Advancing Biomedical Innovations
Cancer immunotherapy is constrained by low tumor targeting, poor penetration, and immune-related adverse events. Engineered liposomal nanoplatforms mitigate these limitations by encapsulating immunotherapeutic agents within lipid bilayers, surface-modifying with targeting ligands and biocompatible polymers to reduce burst release, systemic dispersion, and rapid blood clearance. This review examines recent progress in liposome-assisted immunotherapy across cancer types, covering nanoplatform design, immunotherapy modalities, and strategies for activating immune responses. Key approaches include optimizing liposomal formulations, pairing synergistic drug combinations, and integrating with therapeutic modalities such as sonodynamic therapy, photodynamic/photothermal therapy, and checkpoint blockade. Empirical studies cited demonstrate that liposomal systems can amplify immunogenic cell death (ICD), reverse immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments, and enhance antitumor immunity. For example, manganese protoporphyrin liposomes noninvasively induce immunogenic sonodynamic therapy against triple-negative breast cancer; acoustic-triggered nanobombs enable ultrasound imaging-guided sonodynamic therapy and antitumor immunity activation; and mitochondrial-targeting liposomal nanosystems reinforce ICD through ultrasound-activated redox dyshomeostasis. Additional works show that catalase-based liposomes reverse immunosuppression and improve chemo-photodynamic therapy, while focused acoustic vortex-mediated sonochemotherapy amplifies ICD combined with checkpoint blockade. These findings underscore the potential of engineered liposomes to improve targeting, reduce toxicity, and potentiate combination immunotherapies. Remaining challenges include scalable manufacturing, long-term stability, and regulatory hurdles. Future directions involve rational design of stimuli-responsive liposomes, personalized combination regimens, and clinical translation.