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Updated: May 22, 2026
Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Drug targeting to cancer by nanoparticles surface functionalized with special biomolecules
M A Holgado1, L Martin-Banderas, J Alvarez-Fuentes
1Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Spain. holgado@us.es
Abstract:
Nanoparticulate-based drug carriers have been developed to overcome the problems of conventional anticancer pharmacotherapy, i.e., the little specificity and low accumulation of the drug into the tumor interstitium, and the extensive biodistribution leading to severe toxicity. Unfortunately, conventional nanoparticles have been demonstrated to merely accumulate the loaded drug into organs associated to the reticuloendothelial system, e.g., the liver. Recently, drug delivery strategies involving the use of nanoplatforms surface decorated with unique biomolecules have demonstrated their potential in concentrating the chemotherapy agent specifically into the malignant cells. This review will be focused on the analysis of the current state of the art and future perspectives of such passive and active targeting strategies based on the enhanced permeability and retention effect and on a ligand-mediated transport, respectively. Special attention will be given to the use of these surface functionalized nanocarriers to overcome multi-drug resistances in cancer cells.
Insights
Surface-functionalized nanoparticles offer improved cancer drug delivery by targeting malignant cells and overcoming drug resistance. These advanced nanocarriers enhance drug accumulation at tumor sites, reducing systemic toxicity compared to conventional methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Conventional anticancer therapies suffer from poor drug specificity and significant toxicity due to widespread biodistribution.
- Standard nanoparticles often accumulate in the liver and other reticuloendothelial system organs, limiting their therapeutic efficacy.
- Novel nanoplatforms decorated with biomolecules show promise for targeted chemotherapy delivery to cancer cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current and future strategies for nanoparticle-based drug delivery in cancer therapy.
- To analyze passive (Enhanced Permeability and Retention effect) and active (ligand-mediated) targeting approaches.
- To explore the potential of surface-functionalized nanocarriers in overcoming multidrug resistance.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on nanoparticulate drug delivery systems.
- Analysis of passive targeting mechanisms, including the Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect.
- Evaluation of active targeting strategies utilizing ligand-mediated transport.
- Focus on surface functionalization of nanocarriers for enhanced cellular uptake and overcoming multidrug resistance.
Main Results:
- Surface functionalization of nanocarriers significantly improves drug accumulation in tumor tissues.
- Ligand-mediated targeting concentrates chemotherapy agents within malignant cells, enhancing efficacy.
- Nanoparticle strategies show potential in overcoming multidrug resistance mechanisms in cancer cells.
- Targeted delivery reduces drug accumulation in off-target organs, mitigating systemic toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Surface-functionalized nanocarriers represent a significant advancement over conventional chemotherapy and standard nanoparticles.
- Passive and active targeting strategies offer distinct advantages for optimizing drug delivery to tumors.
- These advanced nanocarriers hold great promise for improving cancer treatment outcomes and patient survival.
- Further research into nanoplatform design and functionalization is crucial for clinical translation.
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