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Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Multi-Smart and Scalable Bioligands-Free Nanomedical Platform for Intratumorally Targeted Tambjamine Delivery, a
Marta Pérez-Hernández1,2, Cristina Cuscó3, Cristina Benítez-García1,2
1Cancer Cell Biology Research Group (CCBRG), Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08907 Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide due, in part, to limited success of some current therapeutic approaches. The clinical potential of many promising drugs is restricted by their systemic toxicity and lack of selectivity towards cancer cells, leading to insufficient drug concentration at the tumor site. To overcome these hurdles, we developed a novel drug delivery system based on polyurea/polyurethane nanocapsules (NCs) showing pH-synchronized amphoteric properties that facilitate their accumulation and selectivity into acidic tissues, such as tumor microenvironment. We have demonstrated that the anticancer drug used in this study, a hydrophobic anionophore named T21, increases its cytotoxic activity in acidic conditions when nanoencapsulated, which correlates with a more efficient cellular internalization. A biodistribution assay performed in mice has shown that the NCs are able to reach the tumor and the observed systemic toxicity of the free drug is significantly reduced in vivo when nanoencapsulated. Additionally, T21 antitumor activity is preserved, accompanied by tumor mass reduction compared to control mice. Altogether, this work shows these NCs as a potential drug delivery system able to reach the tumor microenvironment, reducing the undesired systemic toxic effects. Moreover, these nanosystems are prepared under scalable methodologies and straightforward process, and provide tumor selectivity through a smart mechanism independent of targeting ligands.
Insights
Researchers developed novel nanocapsules (NCs) for targeted cancer drug delivery. These pH-sensitive NCs improve drug efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity, offering a promising approach for cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, with current therapies often limited by systemic toxicity and poor tumor selectivity.
- Insufficient drug concentration at the tumor site hinders the effectiveness of many promising anticancer agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel drug delivery system using polyurea/polyurethane nanocapsules (NCs) for enhanced cancer treatment.
- To investigate the pH-synchronized amphoteric properties of NCs for selective tumor targeting.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nanoencapsulated anticancer drug T21.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of polyurea/polyurethane nanocapsules (NCs) with pH-synchronized amphoteric properties.
- Encapsulation of the hydrophobic anionophore T21 within the NCs.
- In vitro assessment of drug cytotoxicity and cellular internalization in acidic conditions.
- In vivo biodistribution studies and evaluation of antitumor activity in mice.
Main Results:
- The developed NCs demonstrated pH-synchronized amphoteric properties, facilitating accumulation in acidic tumor microenvironments.
- Nanoencapsulation enhanced the cytotoxic activity and cellular internalization of T21 in acidic conditions.
- Biodistribution studies confirmed NCs' ability to reach tumors, significantly reducing systemic toxicity of the free drug.
- Encapsulated T21 preserved its antitumor activity, leading to a reduction in tumor mass.
Conclusions:
- The novel nanocapsules represent a promising drug delivery system for targeting the tumor microenvironment.
- This approach effectively reduces systemic toxicity while maintaining or enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
- The scalable and straightforward preparation of these ligand-independent nanosystems offers a significant advancement in cancer therapy.
