Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025
Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles
Published on: October 8, 2016
Functionalization of Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery Systems and Its Influence in Cancer Therapy
Theodora Amanda Seidu1, Perpetua Takunda Kutoka1, Dorothy Owusu Asante2
1Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China.
Abstract:
Research into the application of nanocarriers in the delivery of cancer-fighting drugs has been a promising research area for decades. On the other hand, their cytotoxic effects on cells, low uptake efficiency, and therapeutic resistance have limited their therapeutic use. However, the urgency of pressing healthcare needs has resulted in the functionalization of nanoparticles' (NPs) physicochemical properties to improve clinical outcomes of new, old, and repurposed drugs. This article reviews recent research on methods for targeting functionalized nanoparticles to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, the use of relevant engineering techniques for surface functionalization of nanocarriers (liposomes, dendrimers, and mesoporous silica) and their critical roles in overcoming the current limitations in cancer therapy-targeting ligands used for targeted delivery, stimuli strategies, and multifunctional nanoparticles-were all reviewed. The limitations and future perspectives of functionalized nanoparticles were also finally discussed. Using relevant keywords, published scientific literature from all credible sources was retrieved. A quick search of the literature yielded almost 400 publications. The subject matter of this review was addressed adequately using an inclusion/exclusion criterion. The content of this review provides a reasonable basis for further studies to fully exploit the potential of these nanoparticles in cancer therapy.
Insights
Functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) show promise for cancer drug delivery by overcoming limitations like poor cell uptake. This review explores targeting strategies to enhance their therapeutic efficacy in the tumor microenvironment (TME).
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Nanocarriers offer potential for cancer drug delivery but face challenges including cytotoxicity, low cellular uptake, and therapeutic resistance.
- Recent advancements focus on functionalizing nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance drug delivery and overcome these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on targeting functionalized nanoparticles to the tumor microenvironment (TME) for improved cancer therapy.
- To discuss engineering techniques for surface functionalization of nanocarriers and their role in overcoming current therapeutic limitations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific publications on functionalized nanoparticles for cancer therapy.
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied to select relevant studies.
- Analysis of targeting ligands, stimuli-responsive strategies, and multifunctional nanoparticles.
Main Results:
- Functionalization of NPs' physicochemical properties can improve clinical outcomes for various cancer drugs.
- Surface engineering techniques enhance nanocarrier performance (liposomes, dendrimers, mesoporous silica) for targeted delivery.
- Targeting ligands, stimuli strategies, and multifunctional NPs are key to overcoming limitations.
Conclusions:
- Functionalized nanoparticles represent a promising avenue for advancing cancer therapy.
- Further research is needed to fully realize the therapeutic potential of these engineered nanocarriers.
- This review provides a foundation for future studies in nanoparticle-based cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
01:15Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:10Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules