Targeting ischemic penumbra Part II: selective drug delivery using liposome technologies.

In the present review (part II), we discuss the challenges and promises of selective drug delivery to ischemic brain tissue by liposome technologies. In part I of this serial review, we proposed "selective drug delivery to ischemic brain tissue" as a technique for neuroprotective treatment of acute ischemic stroke. To be effective, drugs must pass a series of barriers to arrive at ischemic brain. Brain ischemia results in metabolic and structural changes in the ischemic region, which cause additional obstacles for drug delivery. Liposome drug delivery system can pass these barriers and selectively target ischemic tissue by utilizing ischemia-induced changes in metabolism and molecular structure.