Engineered nanocarriers of doxorubicin: a current update

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nanotechnology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Doxorubicin is a vital chemotherapy drug, but its use is limited by cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
• Conventional doxorubicin nanocarriers improve efficacy but are often cleared by the reticuloendothelial system.
• Engineered nanocarriers aim to overcome these limitations through modified designs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution of doxorubicin nanocarriers from basic formulations to advanced engineered systems.
• To highlight the progress and current status of engineered doxorubicin nanocarriers in clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on doxorubicin nanocarrier development.
• Analysis of strategies for reticuloendothelial system evasion and targeted delivery.
• Examination of clinical trial data for engineered nanocarriers.

Main Results:

• Stealth nanocarriers reduced cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, leading to liposomal doxorubicin approval.
• Despite improvements, side effects like hand-foot syndrome emerged with liposomal formulations.
• Engineered nanocarriers demonstrate enhanced specificity for cancer cells, improving therapeutic outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Engineered nanocarriers represent a significant advancement in doxorubicin delivery, enhancing efficacy and reducing systemic toxicity.
• Ongoing research focuses on developing highly specific nanocarriers for improved cancer therapy.
• The review provides insights into the current clinical landscape of engineered doxorubicin nanocarriers.