Abstract::Anthracyclines are potent therapeutic agents widely used in cancer treatment and other medical applications,
including infectious diseases and inflammatory disorders. However, their clinical utility is often
restricted by severe systemic toxicity, poor biodistribution, and the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR).
To address these limitations, nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems have been developed to improve therapeutic
selectivity and safety. Among them, liposomal formulations have achieved the highest level of clinical
translation. FDA-approved liposomal anthracyclines such as Doxil® (doxorubicin), DaunoXome® (daunorubicin),
and Vyxeos® (daunorubicin-cytarabine) have demonstrated enhanced pharmacokinetics, reduced cardiotoxicity,
and improved therapeutic outcomes compared with conventional formulations. Beyond liposomes,
alternative and emerging nanocarriers, including polymeric nanoparticles, micellar systems, dendrimeric carriers,
and hybrid lipid–polymer constructs, are being explored to achieve higher drug loading, controlled release,
and targeted tissue penetration. These formulations also show promise for antimicrobial and immunomodulatory
therapies. Nevertheless, key challenges such as safety concerns, large-scale production, and regulatory
barriers continue to impede broad clinical adoption. This review provides a comprehensive overview of
liposomal and alternative nanoformulations for anthracyclines, discussing their advantages, limitations, and
clinical potential while addressing the key challenges that must be overcome for their successful translation
into widespread medical use, while also highlighting emerging biohybrid, extracellular vesicle–based, and
stimuli-responsive systems that represent leapfrogging innovations in anthracycline delivery.