A novel liposome product, doxorubicin hydrocholoride liposomal injection, has received FDA approval as well as European Commission authorization to be used in the treatment of a variety of cancers, including ovarian cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related Kaposi's sarcoma, and multiple myeloma. It is no doubt another piece of good news for patients as well as researchers around the world. Although considerable research in the last several decades on liposomes has gained significant advancement, further demonstrating the significant potential of liposome drug development, more research in the diverse applications of liposome drugs is still required to be conducted in the future.

Liposomes as drug delivery carriers have attracted much attention due to their multiple advantages, such as their biocompatibility, which can protect pharmaceuticals from the inactivating effect of external conditions but not cause undesirable side reactions, and their potential slow-release or targeting properties. Among most of the novel drug delivery carriers, liposomes are considered the best ones. Therefore, a great deal of research on liposome development has progressed rapidly in recent years, including the development of liposomal formulations and functional liposomes.

Liposomal formulations have a key role in the development of liposome drug delivery compared to general formulations, which can be utilized to overcome the non-ideal properties of drugs, including limited solubility, serum stability, circulation half-life, biodistribution, and target tissue selectivity. Liposome formulations have advantages in a variety of disease fields, including tumors, infections, neurology, anesthesia, ophthalmology, and diagnosis. Liposome-encapsulated drugs have 50%–70% lower tumor toxicity than free drugs, and liposome formulations have higher tumor suppressor activity than free drugs.

Furthermore, functional liposome development is as important as the development of liposomal formulations. Liposomes can be used for specific applications by using appropriate surface functionalization and modification technology, such as extending circulation time, increasing cellular uptake, and increasing tumor site payload accumulation, for which the functional liposome provides key benefits in disease treatment. The growing demand for functional liposomes drives the continuous and rapid development of global biotechnology, and biotech companies all over the world are engaged in fierce competition to capture the abundant market share.