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How successful is nuclear targeting by nanocarriers?
Salma N Tammam1, Hassan M E Azzazy2, Alf Lamprecht3
1Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bonn, 53121, Germany; Department of Chemistry, The American University in Cairo, 11835, Egypt.
Summary
Nanoparticles (NPs) can deliver drugs to the nucleus, but overcoming barriers like cell membranes and endosomes is key. Careful NP design is crucial for effective nuclear drug delivery and therapeutic success.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- The cell nucleus is a critical target for therapeutics treating cancer, heart, and brain disorders.
- Nanoparticles (NPs) offer potential for targeted drug delivery, protecting sensitive therapeutics.
- Cytosolic drug entry does not guarantee interaction with nuclear targets, necessitating specialized NP design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review barriers hindering nanoparticle (NP) nuclear delivery.
- To explore NP synthesis and modification strategies for overcoming these barriers.
- To discuss evaluation criteria for nuclear-targeted nanocarriers.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of NP barriers: cell membrane crossing, endo/lysosomal escape, cytoplasmic trafficking, and nuclear entry.
- Analysis of NP design and modification for enhanced nuclear targeting.
- Review of existing nuclear-targeted NP examples and disease-state influences.
Main Results:
- Successful nuclear delivery requires overcoming multiple cellular barriers.
- NP surface modification and synthesis strategies can facilitate nuclear entry.
- Disease states can alter NP trafficking, offering opportunities for enhanced targeting.
Conclusions:
- Effective nuclear targeting demands overcoming significant biological barriers.
- Quantitative evaluation is essential to assess nanocarrier success in nuclear drug delivery.
- Optimized nanoparticle design is paramount for therapeutic efficacy in nuclear-targeted treatments.
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