Bhupendra G. Prajapati
1* 
, Omar Awad Alsaidan
2 , Sami I. Alzarea
3 , Kiran Dudhat
4 , Chandrakantsing V. Pardeshi
5 , Namdev Dhas
6 , Himanshu Paliwal
7 , Biswajit Basu
8 , Suhaskumar Patel
9 , Dignesh Khunt
10* 1 Department of Pharmaceutics, Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Parul University, Waghodia, Vadodara, 391760, Gujarat, India
2 Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka 72341, Saudi Arabia
3 Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Jouf University, Sakaka, Aljouf 72341, Saudi Arabia
4 School of Pharmacy, RK University, Kasturbadham, Rajkot, Gujarat, 360020, India
5 Department of Pharmaceutics, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur 425405, India
6 Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka State, India
7 Marwadi University Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marwadi University, Rajkot, 360003, Gujarat, India
8 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Adamas University, Kolkata, 700126, West Bengal, India
9 Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, 140401, Punjab, India
10 School of Pharmacy, Gujarat Technological University, Gandhinagar 382028, India
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.