Use of Liposomal Drugs in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that results in joint deformity and disability. Conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used for its treatment. Unconventional therapies, like enzyme oligodeoxy nucleotides, boron neutron capture therapy & radioisotopes are also being tried. The use of all these drugs is limited by a number of adverse effects. These side effects have been overcome to a large extent by the use of liposomes as delivery systems. This review presents rationale for the use of liposomes for the treatment of arthritis. Systemic as well as intra-articular delivery of liposome encapsulated anti-arthritic drugs is discussed. Success and limitations of this approach are also discussed by taking examples of different drug classes.