Lipid-based core-shell nanoparticles: Evolution and potentialities in drug delivery

Over the last decade, impressive progress in the field of nanomedicine has led to the development of novel biomaterials and nanotechnology platforms. However, lipid-based nanovectors, i.e. liposomes, combining safety, versatility and delivery efficiency, remain the most “popular” approach. Lipids, especially charged lipids, have been used to design nanoparticles characterized by a core-shell structure. In these nanoparticles a lipid shell interacts with a core based on different biomaterials. Drugs characterized by a net charge can be condensed in the core, which is then covered by the lipid shell. This approach has been investigated in relation to the delivery of different active molecules, among them macromolecular drug, e.g. nucleic acids, and small molecules, e.g. bisphosphonates. This review reports the progress that has been made in the development of this technology and its potential applications in drug delivery.