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Updated: Dec 16, 2025
Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Advanced engineered nanoparticulate platforms to address key biological barriers for delivering chemotherapeutic
Jun Cao1, Dennis Huang2, Nicholas A Peppas3
1National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, 29(#) Wangjiang Road, Chengdu 610064, PR China; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Abstract:
The widespread development of nanocarriers to deliver chemotherapeutics to specific tumor sites has been motivated by the lack of selective targeting during chemotherapy inducing serious side effects and low therapeutic efficacy. The utmost challenge in targeted cancer therapies is the ineffective drug delivery system, in which the drug-loaded nanocarriers are hindered by multiple complex biological barriers that compromise the therapeutic efficacy. Despite considerable progress engineering novel nanoplatforms for the delivery of chemotherapeutics, there has been limited success in a clinical setting. In this review, we identify and analyze design strategies for improved therapeutic efficacy and unique properties of nanoplatforms, including liposomes, polymeric micelles, nanogels, and dendrimers. We provide a comprehensive and integral description of key biological barriers that nanoplatforms are exposed to during their in vivo journey and discuss associated strategies to overcome these barriers based on the latest research and information available in the field. We expect this review to provide constructive information for the rational design of more effective nanoplatforms to advance precision therapies and accelerate their clinical translation.
Insights
Nanocarriers improve chemotherapy by targeting tumors, but biological barriers limit effectiveness. This review analyzes nanoplatform designs to overcome these challenges for better cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Chemotherapy lacks tumor selectivity, causing side effects and low efficacy.
- Nanocarriers aim to improve drug delivery to tumors, but face biological barriers.
- Clinical translation of nanocarrier-based cancer therapies remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review nanoplatform design strategies for enhanced cancer therapy.
- To analyze biological barriers hindering nanocarrier efficacy in vivo.
- To provide insights for developing effective nanoplatforms for clinical translation.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of nanoplatforms (liposomes, micelles, nanogels, dendrimers).
- Analysis of biological barriers encountered by nanocarriers.
- Discussion of strategies to overcome these barriers.
Main Results:
- Identified key biological barriers affecting nanocarrier delivery.
- Analyzed design principles for various nanoplatforms.
- Highlighted strategies to improve in vivo performance.
Conclusions:
- Effective nanoplatform design is crucial for overcoming biological barriers.
- Improved nanocarrier strategies can enhance therapeutic efficacy.
- This review offers guidance for developing advanced nanomedicines for precision cancer therapy.
