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Updated: Sep 29, 2025
Anticancer Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Lung Cancer-Targeted Nanoparticles
Published on: December 1, 2016
Nano-based targeted drug delivery for lung cancer: therapeutic avenues and challenges
Devaraj Ezhilarasan1, Thangavelu Lakshmi1, Sreekanth Kumar Mallineni2
1Department of Pharmacology, Gold Lab, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical & Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600077, India.
Abstract:
Most anticancer drugs often fail in clinical trials due to poor solubility, poor bioavailability, lack of targeted delivery and several off-target effects. Polymeric nanoparticles such as poly(lactide), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), ALB-loading paclitaxel (Abraxane® ABI-007), lomustine-loaded chitosan, gelatin (decorated with EGF receptor-targeted biotinylated EGF) and so on offer controlled and sustained drug-release properties, biocompatibility and promising anticancer effects. EGF, folic acid, transferrin, sigma and urokinase plasminogen activator receptors-targeting nano preparations improve bioavailability and accumulate drugs on the lung tumor cell surface. However, route of administration, size, pharmacokinetic properties, immune clearance and so on hamper nanomedicines' clinical uses. This review focuses on the benefits, avenues and challenges of nanoparticle-based drug-delivery systems for lung cancer treatment.
Insights
Polymeric nanoparticles offer improved drug delivery for lung cancer, enhancing efficacy and targeting. However, challenges in administration and pharmacokinetics must be addressed for successful clinical application of nanomedicines.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Oncology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Conventional anticancer drugs face challenges like poor solubility, bioavailability, and off-target effects, limiting clinical success.
- Polymeric nanoparticles demonstrate potential in overcoming these limitations for cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the benefits and challenges of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for lung cancer treatment.
- To explore targeted nano-preparations for improved drug accumulation and bioavailability in lung tumors.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on polymeric nanoparticles in cancer therapy.
- Analysis of nanoparticle properties, targeting strategies, and clinical application hurdles.
- Examination of specific examples like poly(lactide), PLGA, and receptor-targeted formulations.
Main Results:
- Polymeric nanoparticles offer controlled release, biocompatibility, and enhanced anticancer effects.
- Targeted nanoparticles improve bioavailability and lung tumor cell accumulation.
- Factors like administration route, size, and immune clearance impede clinical nanomedicine use.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle-based drug delivery presents significant benefits for lung cancer treatment.
- Further research is needed to overcome pharmacokinetic and administration challenges for clinical translation.
- Targeted nanomedicines hold promise for more effective and safer lung cancer therapies.
