Final answer:
Stealth liposomes evade the immune system through a protective coating, commonly made of carbohydrates or polymers like hyaluronic acid, which helps them remain undetected by immune phagocytes and deliver therapeutics directly to cancer cells more effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
Stealth liposomes are protected from the phagocytes of the immune system primarily through the use of a synthetic polymer coating. This coating, often comprised of hyaluronic acid, provides a 'cloak' that allows the liposomes to circulate in the bloodstream without being recognized and engulfed by the immune cells responsible for removing foreign substances. Notably, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body, contributing to its biocompatibility and the ability to avoid an immune response. Additionally, liposomes can be engineered to deliver a multitude of therapeutic agents selectively to cancer cells, thus enhancing the efficacy of cancer treatments while minimizing systemic toxicity.
The student's question is that stealth liposomes are generally coated with carbohydrates or synthetic polymers like hyaluronic acid that prevent detection and destruction by the immune system, thereby improving biocompatibility and targeted drug delivery.