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Promoting Nanoparticle Delivery Efficiency to Tumors by Locally Increasing Blood Flow There
Feng Fan1,2,3, Bin Xie1, Lihua Yang1,2,3
1Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
Abstract:
Enhancing the tumor-targeted delivery efficiency of nanoparticles is necessary for improving their therapeutic efficacy, yet how to fulfill this, especially in a practical manner, remains a significant challenge. Noticing that major organs compete effectively with tumors for nanoparticles, we herein carried out meta-analysis on nanoparticle delivery efficiency to major organs and tumors. Notably, in major organs, cellular uptake alone cannot explain why one organ has higher nanoparticle delivery efficiency than another; indeed, blood flow through an organ may facilitate nanoparticle delivery efficiency there as well. Intriguingly, such a facilitative role can be extrapolated to tumors, according to meta-analysis on the relationship of tumor-targeted delivery efficiency of nanoparticles versus blood flow through tumors of different weights. Indeed, using local mild hyperthermia as a model for modalities capable of increasing tumor blood flow, we observed a ∼3-fold increase in tumor-targeted delivery efficiency in the meta-analysis on studies involving both nanoparticles and local mild hyperthermia. This work identifies tumor blood flow as a crucial factor in determining tumor-targeted delivery efficiency of nanoparticles and suggests increasing tumor blood flow as an alternative way to boost tumor-targeted delivery efficiency of nanoparticles.
Insights
Increasing tumor blood flow significantly enhances nanoparticle delivery to tumors. This meta-analysis reveals blood flow, not just cellular uptake, is key for effective nanoparticle targeting, offering a new strategy for cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
Background:
- Improving nanoparticle delivery to tumors is crucial for enhancing cancer therapy efficacy.
- Major organs often compete with tumors for nanoparticle accumulation, limiting therapeutic outcomes.
- Current strategies face challenges in practically enhancing tumor-targeted delivery efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate factors influencing nanoparticle delivery efficiency to tumors and major organs.
- To explore the role of blood flow in nanoparticle biodistribution and tumor targeting.
- To identify practical methods for boosting nanoparticle delivery to tumors.
Main Methods:
- Performed a meta-analysis of existing studies on nanoparticle delivery efficiency to major organs.
- Conducted a meta-analysis on the relationship between tumor blood flow and nanoparticle delivery efficiency.
- Analyzed studies utilizing local mild hyperthermia to modulate tumor blood flow and nanoparticle delivery.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticle delivery efficiency to organs is influenced by factors beyond cellular uptake, including blood flow.
- A positive correlation was found between tumor blood flow and nanoparticle delivery efficiency in tumors.
- Studies involving local mild hyperthermia showed approximately a threefold increase in tumor-targeted delivery efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Tumor blood flow is a critical determinant of nanoparticle delivery efficiency.
- Increasing tumor blood flow represents a promising strategy to enhance nanoparticle-based cancer therapies.
- This finding offers a practical approach to improve the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles.
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