Lipoprotein-inspired nanoparticles for cancer theranostics.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Nanotechnology
• Oncology and Drug Delivery

Background:

• Animals evolved lipoprotein nanoparticles for endogenous molecule transport over millions of years.
• Lipoproteins are biocompatible lipid-protein complexes crucial for lipid transport and implicated in heart disease.
• Lipoprotein structure and function are increasingly understood, revealing potential for biomedical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of lipoprotein-inspired nanoparticles in cancer theranostics.
• To explore the potential of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) nanoparticles for cancer imaging and therapy.
• To discuss strategies for enhancing lipoprotein nanoparticle circulation time and tumor targeting.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on lipoprotein nanoparticles in cancer theranostics.
• Analysis of LDL's innate targeting potential and its use in delivering hydrophobic molecules to tumors.
• Discussion of HDL and synthetic HDL-like nanoparticles for drug delivery, including cytoplasmic delivery.

Main Results:

• Lipoprotein-inspired nanoparticles can be engineered to evade immune defenses and circulate longer.
• LDL nanoparticles demonstrate innate tumor-targeting capabilities and can deliver diverse hydrophobic agents.
• HDL and synthetic HDL-like nanoparticles show potential for targeted drug delivery, including direct cytoplasmic delivery, bypassing endosomal pathways.

Conclusions:

• Lipoprotein nanoparticles, due to their evolved structure and function, are highly promising for improving cancer theranostics.
• Mimicking endogenous lipoproteins offers a strategy to enhance nanocarrier circulation and targeting efficiency in cancer treatment.
• Both LDL and HDL, along with synthetic HDL-like particles, present unique advantages for delivering cancer therapeutics and diagnostics.