Recent approaches of proliposome-based dry powder inhalation for pulmonary delivery

Abstract

Pulmonary drug delivery via dry powder inhalers (DPIs) has gained substantial interest owing to its non-invasive nature, rapid onset of action, and potential for local and systemic therapy. Limitations on aerodynamic size and the lung's lower tolerance compared with the oral route make it challenging to formulate dry powders for pulmonary delivery. Proliposomes (PL), as dry, free-flowing particulate precursors of liposomes, offer a promising platform to overcome these challenges. In addition to being easier to handle and more stable than traditional liposomal systems, these recent proliposome-based DPIs are also being investigated for their potential scalability in pharmaceutical manufacture. These developments in the DPI system based on PL show enhanced pulmonary targeting, sustained drug release, and advantageous aerodynamic characteristics. This review focuses on the formulation strategies, various techniques to develop the DPIs and summarizes the recent (2020–2025) progress in proliposome-based DPI systems. It also highlights COVID-era advancements in inhalable lipid carriers for vaccines and antiviral agents. Further clinical applications of PL-DPIs with disease-specific perspectives is discussed. Also, the article addresses the regulatory considerations, current challenges and the future perspectives of proliposomal-based DPI technology in the respiratory drug delivery.