Chitosan-Hyaluronic Acid Nanoparticles for Active Targeting in Cancer Therapy

Lisa Efriani Puluhulawa1, I Made Joni2,3, Khaled M Elamin4

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia.

Polymers
|August 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Novel chitosan-hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (CHA-Np) show promise for targeted cancer therapy. These nanoparticles offer enhanced drug delivery and accumulation in cancer cells, representing a significant advancement in oncology treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer remains a leading global cause of mortality, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches.
  • Nanoparticle technology offers potential for improved cancer treatment through targeted drug delivery.
  • Current nanoparticle strategies often involve chemical ligands for specific receptor binding on malignant cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the development and application of chitosan-hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (CHA-Np) for cancer therapy.
  • To evaluate the potential of CHA-Np for active targeting and controlled drug release in cancer treatment.
  • To discuss the benefits and recent findings associated with CHA-Np against various cancer types.

Main Methods:

  • Chemical grafting of chitosan nanoparticles with hyaluronic acid to create targeted ligands.
  • Utilizing the pH-responsive nature of nanoparticles for controlled drug release.
  • Leveraging the high selectivity of hyaluronic acid for CD44 receptors overexpressed on cancer cells.

Main Results:

  • CHA-Np demonstrate good characteristics and effectiveness for active targeting of various cancer cells.
  • Hyaluronic acid's affinity for CD44 receptors facilitates enhanced accumulation of nanoparticles within cancer cells.
  • The pH-responsive nature allows for controlled drug release, optimizing therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Chitosan-hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (CHA-Np) present a viable system for targeted cancer drug delivery.
  • CHA-Np exhibit significant potential for active targeting and improved therapeutic outcomes in diverse cancers.
  • Further development of CHA-Np is anticipated for broad applications in advanced cancer therapy.