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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NCBioImpacts : BI

Ethosomal drug delivery systems for skin cancer: Mechanistic insights, formulation strategies, and translational challenges.

  • Bhupendra G Prajapati1
  • Omar Awad Alsaidan2
  • Sami I Alzarea3
  • Kiran Dudhat4
  • Chandrakantsing V Pardeshi5
  • Namdev Dhas6
  • Himanshu Paliwal7
  • Biswajit Basu8
  • Suhaskumar Patel9
  • Dignesh Khunt10
10 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Pharmaceutics, Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Parul University, Waghodia, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India.
  2. 2Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Saudi Arabia.
  3. 3Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Aljouf 72341, Saudi Arabia.
  4. 4School of Pharmacy, RK University, Kasturbadham, Rajkot, Gujarat, 360020, India.
  5. 5Department of Pharmaceutics, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur 425405, India.
  6. 6Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka State, India.
  7. 7Marwadi University Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marwadi University, Rajkot, 360003, Gujarat, India.
  8. 8Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Adamas University, Kolkata, 700126, West Bengal, India.
  9. 9Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, India.
  10. 10School of Pharmacy, Gujarat Technological University, Gandhinagar 382028, India.
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Abstract

Introduction

Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, with incidence increasing by approximately 2-3% annually due to prolonged ultraviolet radiation exposure, genetic predisposition, and an ageing population. Conventional treatments, including oral, injectable, and topical therapies, are often limited by poor skin permeability, first-pass metabolism, systemic toxicity, and inadequate tumor targeting.Methods

This review systematically examines ethosomal drug delivery systems, focusing on their composition, mechanism of skin permeation, and formulation strategies. Key aspects such as phospholipid composition, ethanol concentration (20-45% w/w), preparation techniques, and interaction with tumor-altered skin barriers are critically analyzed.Results

Ethosomes, as deformable lipid vesicles, enhance transdermal drug delivery by fluidizing stratum corneum lipid lamellae, enabling deeper dermal penetration. Studies demonstrate improved drug localization, controlled release, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy in various skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Applications in chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy show promising preclinical outcomes.Conclusion

Despite significant advancements and encouraging preclinical results, challenges such as formulation stability, scalability, regulatory considerations, and long-term safety must be addressed before ethosomal systems can achieve successful clinical translation in skin cancer therapy.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{prajapati2026ethosomal,
  title = {{Ethosomal drug delivery systems for skin cancer: Mechanistic insights, formulation strategies, and translational challenges.}},
  author = {Bhupendra G Prajapati and Omar Awad Alsaidan and Sami I Alzarea and Kiran Dudhat and Chandrakantsing V Pardeshi and Namdev Dhas and Himanshu Paliwal and Biswajit Basu and Suhaskumar Patel and Dignesh Khunt},
  journal = {BioImpacts : BI},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.34172/bi.33703},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898421},
  note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Ethosomal drug delivery systems for skin cancer: Mechanistic insights, formulation strategies, and translational challenges.
AU  - Bhupendra G Prajapati
AU  - Omar Awad Alsaidan
AU  - Sami I Alzarea
AU  - Kiran Dudhat
AU  - Chandrakantsing V Pardeshi
AU  - Namdev Dhas
AU  - Himanshu Paliwal
AU  - Biswajit Basu
AU  - Suhaskumar Patel
AU  - Dignesh Khunt
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/09
JO  - BioImpacts : BI
DO  - 10.34172/bi.33703
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42898421
AB  - Introduction  Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, with incidence increasing by approximately 2-3% annually due to prolonged ultraviolet radiation exposure, genetic predisposition, and an ageing population. Conventional treatments, including oral, injectable, and topical therapies, are often limited by poor skin permeability, first-pass metabolism, systemic toxicity, and inadequate tumor targeting.Methods  This review systematically examines ethosomal drug delivery systems, focusing on their composition, mechanism of skin permeation, and formulation strategies. Key aspects such as phospholipid composition, ethanol concentration (20-45% w/w), preparation techniques, and interaction with tumor-altered skin barriers are critically analyzed.Results  Ethosomes, as deformable lipid vesicles, enhance transdermal drug delivery by fluidizing stratum corneum lipid lamellae, enabling deeper dermal penetration. Studies demonstrate improved drug localization, controlled release, and enhanced therapeutic efficacy in various skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Applications in chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy show promising preclinical outcomes.Conclusion  Despite significant advancements and encouraging preclinical results, challenges such as formulation stability, scalability, regulatory considerations, and long-term safety must be addressed before ethosomal systems can achieve successful clinical translation in skin cancer therapy.
SN  - 2228-5652
SN  - 2228-5660
ER  -