Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2025
Facile Preparation of Internally Self-assembled Lipid Particles Stabilized by Carbon Nanotubes
Published on: February 19, 2016
Effect of surface ligand modification on the properties of anti-tumor nanocarrier
Na Ying1, Xiangde Lin2, Meihua Xie2
1Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China.
Abstract:
With the continuous increasing number of cancer patients worldwide, there has been great interest in developing the targeted delivery anti-cancer drugs. The drug concentration reaching the tumor site is not enough to achieve a good therapeutic effect if it relies only on passive targeted drug delivery. In a long-lasting effort to improve the anti-cancer effect of drugs, surface ligand modification to nanocarriers has been actively explored to greatly improve the targeting ability, induce apoptosis in tumor cells, and prolong the drug circulation time in blood. This present review provides an overview of the effects of surface ligand modifications on the properties of anti-tumor nanocarriers. The first part presents the targeting mechanisms of nanocarriers. The second part focuses on recent progress in types of surface modification ligands exploited for anti-tumor nanocarriers. And the third part encompasses the effect of surface modifications on the properties of nanocarriers. In addition, the perspective in this field is also discussed.
Insights
Surface ligand modification of nanocarriers enhances targeted anti-cancer drug delivery. This strategy improves drug concentration at tumor sites, boosting therapeutic effects and prolonging drug circulation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer patient numbers are rising globally, increasing the need for effective anti-cancer drug delivery.
- Passive targeted drug delivery often results in insufficient drug concentration at tumor sites.
- Surface ligand modification of nanocarriers is a key strategy to enhance anti-cancer therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of surface ligand modifications for anti-tumor nanocarriers.
- To explore the impact of these modifications on nanocarrier properties and therapeutic efficacy.
- To discuss future perspectives in this rapidly evolving field.
Main Methods:
- Review of targeting mechanisms employed by nanocarriers.
- Analysis of recent advancements in surface modification ligands for anti-tumor applications.
- Evaluation of how surface modifications influence nanocarrier characteristics.
Main Results:
- Surface ligand modification significantly improves nanocarrier targeting ability.
- These modifications can induce apoptosis in tumor cells.
- Enhanced drug circulation time in the bloodstream is achieved.
Conclusions:
- Surface ligand modification is crucial for optimizing nanocarrier-based anti-cancer drug delivery.
- This approach offers a promising strategy to overcome limitations of passive targeting.
- Further research into novel ligands and modification techniques holds significant potential.
