Cubosomes for enhanced drug delivery

Cubosomes (cubs) are considered one of the nanostructured self-assembled lipid cubic phases and are stabilized by polymeric outer shell. It is constituted from bicontinuous lipidic phases composed of mono- or double layer of lipid-based material forming a continuous periodic porous membrane arranged in a lattice structure. Not only their unique microstructure but also their outer surface could be easily tailored thus allowing targeted drug delivery with superior colloidal stability. Cubs have several favorable properties including enhanced thermodynamic stability, bioadhesive capabilities, the ability of loading various types of drugs (hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and amphiphilic), and the controlled release of the loaded cargo. Collectively, these characteristics make cubs suitable for various administration routes thus rendering them instrumental in a plethora of applications including therapeutic drug delivery, theranostics, and medical imaging. This book chapter outlines recent advances in “cubs” design, preparation techniques, and their application for therapeutic purposes.