Fig. 2.

Schematic presentation of functionalized peptide-targeted liposomes drug delivery mechanism through an active targeting effect on targeted receptor overexpressed cancer cells. Active peptide-functionalized targeted liposomes either bind to the overexpressed receptors on the cancer cells selectively and go inside through receptor-mediated endocytosis or penetrate inside the cancer cells through cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-mediated uptake. Drugs and diagnostic agents then can be released through endosomal or lysosomal degradation of the lipid layers.