Brief overview of nanoparticulate therapy in cancer

Nanoparticles govern an all-important role, in this day and age, in determining the tissue distribution of either hydrophobic or hydrophilic anti-cancer drugs by encapsulating them or by covalent attachment. The whole purpose is to systematically improve upon the existing anti-tumour efficacy of these drugs. Selective delivery of these chemotherapeutic agents to the compromised or diseased tissue is the key to avoid any potential toxicity problems. Certain types of nanoparticles, through various mechanisms such as active targeting or reversing multi-drug resistance, display immense potential in adding to the existing anti-tumour efficacy profile. Determining the optimal composition of the polymers or size of the nanoparticles or appropriately tailoring the surface of these nanoparticles with molecular ligands are the key components in governing the successful biological fate of these nanoparticles.