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Updated: May 9, 2026
Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles
Published on: October 8, 2016
Challenges, expectations and limits for nanoparticles-based therapeutics in cancer: a focus on nano-albumin-bound
Raphaelle Fanciullino1, Joseph Ciccolini, Gérard Milano
1Hospital Pharmacy Unit, La Conception University Hospital of Marseille, Marseille, France.
Abstract:
Improving the efficacy-toxicity balance of anticancer agents remains an ongoing challenge in oncology. Beside the ever-growing development of innovative drugs addressing newly discovered molecular targets, nanotechnologies provide today a promising and exciting strategy to achieve this goal. The idea of carrying active compounds to their respective targets so as to improve their efficacy while sparing healthy tissue and reducing side-effects is not new. However, this area of research is in constant rise, and benefits from the latest advances in the field of biopharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry and nanomedicine. In addition to anthracyclines already widely present as liposomal drugs on the shelves, a variety of anticancer drugs can be now encapsulated into different chemical of structures so as to enhance their specificity toward malignant cells, mainly through improved pharmacokinetics profiles. Indeed, the recent advances in chemistry allow now a wide variety of scaffolds to be used as drug-carriers, so as optimize the delivery of cytotoxics. Even more recently, conjugated-drugs such as nanoalbumin (Nab) conjugates have emerged as a new promising alternative to improve both anticancer drugs distribution in the body and efficacy/toxicity balance eventually. This review covers the achievements and current limits of nanoparticles in oncology, with a special focus on nab-paclitaxel as a paradigmatic drug for this new generation of conjugated entities.
Insights
Nanoparticles enhance anticancer drug delivery, improving efficacy and reducing side effects. Nab-paclitaxel conjugates represent a promising advancement in cancer nanomedicine, balancing therapeutic benefits and toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanomedicine
- Biopharmaceutics
- Medicinal Chemistry
Background:
- Improving the efficacy-toxicity balance of anticancer agents is a persistent challenge in oncology.
- Nanotechnology offers a promising strategy to enhance drug delivery, targeting malignant cells while sparing healthy tissues.
- Advances in biopharmaceutics, medicinal chemistry, and nanomedicine are driving innovation in cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the achievements and limitations of nanoparticles in oncology.
- To highlight the role of drug encapsulation and conjugation in enhancing anticancer drug specificity and pharmacokinetics.
- To focus on nab-paclitaxel as a key example of advanced conjugated anticancer agents.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on nanoparticle drug delivery systems in oncology.
- Analysis of different chemical scaffolds used as drug carriers for cytotoxic agents.
- Examination of conjugated drugs, specifically nanoalbumin (Nab) conjugates, for improved drug distribution and efficacy/toxicity profiles.
Main Results:
- Liposomal anthracyclines are established, and various anticancer drugs can now be encapsulated into diverse nanostructures.
- Nanoparticle encapsulation optimizes the delivery of cytotoxics, enhancing specificity toward malignant cells.
- Nab-paclitaxel conjugates show potential for improved anticancer drug distribution and a better efficacy/toxicity balance.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticles represent a significant advancement in oncology, offering improved therapeutic outcomes.
- Drug conjugation, exemplified by nab-paclitaxel, is a key strategy for next-generation anticancer therapies.
- Continued research in nanomedicine is crucial for overcoming current limitations and maximizing the benefits of nanoparticle-based cancer treatments.
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