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Published on: September 18, 2018
Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles of Targeted Drug Delivery System in Breast Cancer Treatment
Yedi Herdiana1, Nasrul Wathoni1, Shaharum Shamsuddin2,3,4
1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia.
Abstract:
Breast cancer remains one of the world's most dangerous diseases because of the difficulty of finding cost-effective and specific targets for effective and efficient treatment methods. The biodegradability and biocompatibility properties of chitosan-based nanoparticles (ChNPs) have good prospects for targeted drug delivery systems. ChNPs can transfer various antitumor drugs to targeted sites via passive and active targeting pathways. The modification of ChNPs has attracted the researcher to the loading of drugs to targeted cancer cells. The objective of our review was to summarize and discuss the modification in ChNPs in delivering anticancer drugs against breast cancer cells from published papers recorded in Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. In order to improve cellular uptake, drug accumulation, cytotoxicity, and selectivity, we examined different kinds of modification of ChNPs. Notably, these forms of ChNPs use the characteristics of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect as a proper parameter and different biological ligands, such as proteins, peptides, monoclonal antibodies, and small particles. In addition, as a targeted delivery system, ChNPs provided and significantly improved the delivery of drugs into specific breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231, 4T1 cells, SK-BR-3, MCF-7, T47D). In conclusion, a promising technique is presented for increasing the efficacy, selectivity, and effectiveness of candidate drug carriers in the treatment of breast cancer.
Insights
Modified chitosan-based nanoparticles (ChNPs) show promise for targeted breast cancer treatment. These nanoparticles enhance drug delivery, improving efficacy and selectivity against cancer cells.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Breast cancer treatment faces challenges due to the lack of cost-effective and specific therapeutic targets.
- Chitosan-based nanoparticles (ChNPs) offer biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them suitable for drug delivery.
- Targeted drug delivery aims to enhance treatment efficacy and minimize side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review modifications of ChNPs for delivering anticancer drugs specifically to breast cancer cells.
- To summarize research on enhancing ChNP properties for improved cancer therapy.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of modified ChNPs in preclinical breast cancer models.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar for studies on modified ChNPs in breast cancer treatment.
- Analysis of various ChNP modification strategies to improve drug loading and targeting.
- Examination of passive (EPR effect) and active targeting mechanisms using biological ligands.
Main Results:
- Modified ChNPs demonstrated improved cellular uptake, drug accumulation, and cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells.
- Various modifications, including the use of biological ligands, enhanced the targeting specificity of ChNPs.
- ChNPs effectively delivered drugs to specific breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, 4T1, SK-BR-3, MCF-7, T47D).
Conclusions:
- Modified ChNPs represent a promising strategy for targeted breast cancer drug delivery.
- These nanoparticles enhance the efficacy, selectivity, and overall effectiveness of anticancer treatments.
- Further development of ChNP-based systems could significantly advance breast cancer therapy.

