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Published on: September 18, 2018
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.
Abstract:
Cancer is the most common cause of death worldwide; therefore, there is a need to discover novel treatment modalities to combat it. One of the cancer treatments is nanoparticle technology. Currently, nanoparticles have been modified to have desirable pharmacological effects by using chemical ligands that bind with their specific receptors on the surface of malignant cells. Chemical grafting of chitosan nanoparticles with hyaluronic acid as a targeted ligand can become an attractive alternative for active targeting. Hence, these nanoparticles can control drug release with pH- responsive stimuli, and high selectivity of hyaluronic acid to CD44 receptors makes these nanoparticles accumulate more inside cells that overexpress these receptors (cancer cells). In this context, we discuss the benefits and recent findings of developing and utilizing chitosan-hyaluronic acid nanoparticles against distinct forms of cancer malignancy. From here we know that chitosan-hyaluronic acid nanoparticles (CHA-Np) can produce a nanoparticle system with good characteristics, effectiveness, and a good active targeting on various types of cancer cells. Therefore, this system is a good candidate for targeted drug delivery for cancer therapy, anticipating that CHA-Np could be further developed for various cancer therapy applications.
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.

