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Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles
Published on: October 8, 2016
Recent advances in active targeting of nanomaterials for anticancer drug delivery
Bijaideep Dutta1, K C Barick1, P A Hassan1
1Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094, India.
Abstract:
One of the challenges in cancer chemotherapy is the low target to non-target ratio of therapeutic agents which incur severe adverse effect on the healthy tissues. In this regard, nanomaterials have tremendous potential for impacting cancer therapy by altering the toxicity profile of the drug. Some of the striking advantages provided by the nanocarriers mediated targeted drug delivery are relatively high build-up of drug concentration at the tumor site, improved drug content in the formulation and enhanced colloidal stability. Further, nanocarriers with tumor-specific moieties can be targeted to the cancer cell through cell surface receptors, tumor antigens and tumor vasculatures with high affinity and accuracy. Moreover, it overcomes the bottleneck of aimless drug biodistribution, undesired toxicity and heavy dosage of administration. This review discusses the recent developments in active targeting of nanomaterials for anticancer drug delivery through cancer cell surface targeting, organelle specific targeting and tumor microenvironment targeting strategies. Special emphasis has been given towards cancer cell surface and organelle specific targeting as delivery of anticancer drugs through these routes have made paradigm change in cancer management. Further, the current challenges and future prospects of nanocarriers mediated active drug targeting are also demonstrated.
Insights
Nanomaterials enhance cancer chemotherapy by improving drug delivery to tumors and reducing side effects. This review explores active targeting strategies for nanocarriers in cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Oncology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Cancer chemotherapy faces challenges with low target-to-non-target drug ratios, leading to severe adverse effects on healthy tissues.
- Nanomaterials offer significant potential to improve cancer therapy by modifying drug toxicity profiles and enhancing therapeutic efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in active targeting strategies for nanomaterials in anticancer drug delivery.
- To highlight the role of nanocarriers in improving drug concentration at tumor sites and reducing systemic toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of active targeting strategies including cancer cell surface targeting, organelle-specific targeting, and tumor microenvironment targeting.
- Emphasis on nanocarriers functionalized with tumor-specific moieties for high-affinity targeting via cell surface receptors, tumor antigens, and vasculature.
Main Results:
- Nanocarriers enable higher drug accumulation at tumor sites, improved formulation drug content, and enhanced colloidal stability.
- Targeted delivery via nanocarriers overcomes issues of non-specific biodistribution, undesired toxicity, and high administration dosages.
Conclusions:
- Active targeting of nanomaterials, particularly through cancer cell surface and organelle-specific routes, represents a paradigm shift in cancer management.
- The review also addresses current challenges and future prospects in nanocarrier-mediated active drug targeting for improved cancer therapy.
