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.

Polymers
|June 2, 2021
PubMed

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.