Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2025
Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Advancements in Polymeric Nanocarriers to Mediate Targeted Therapy against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Mahak Fatima1, Afsana Sheikh1, Mohammed A S Abourehab2
1Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India.
Abstract:
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a destructive disease with a poor prognosis, low survival rate and high rate of metastasis. It comprises 15% of total breast cancers and is marked by deficiency of three important receptor expressions, i.e., progesterone, estrogen, and human epidermal growth factor receptors. This absence of receptors is the foremost cause of current TNBC therapy failure, resulting in poor therapeutic response in patients. Polymeric nanoparticles are gaining much popularity for transporting chemotherapeutics, genes, and small-interfering RNAs. Due to their exclusive properties such as great stability, easy surface modification, stimuli-responsive and controlled drug release, ability to condense more than one therapeutic moiety inside, tumor-specific delivery of payload, enhanced permeation and retention effect, present them as ideal nanocarriers for increasing efficacy, bioavailability and reducing the toxicity of therapeutic agents. They can even be used as theragnostic agents for the diagnosis of TNBC along with its treatment. In this review, we discuss the limitations of already existing TNBC therapies and highlight the novel approach to designing and the functionalization of polymeric nanocarriers for the effective treatment of TNBC.
Insights
Polymeric nanoparticles offer a promising strategy to overcome triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment challenges. These nanocarriers enhance drug delivery, improve efficacy, and reduce toxicity for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology in Oncology
- Polymeric Nanocarriers
- Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents a significant clinical challenge due to its aggressive nature, poor prognosis, and lack of targeted receptors.
- Current TNBC therapies often fail due to the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, leading to poor patient response and high metastasis rates.
- The limitations of existing treatments necessitate the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies for effective TNBC management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the limitations associated with current triple-negative breast cancer therapies.
- To highlight the potential of polymeric nanocarriers as an advanced therapeutic approach for TNBC.
- To discuss the design and functionalization strategies for polymeric nanocarriers in TNBC treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on triple-negative breast cancer treatments and polymeric nanoparticle applications.
- Analysis of the properties of polymeric nanoparticles, including stability, surface modification, and controlled release.
- Exploration of nanocarrier-mediated delivery of chemotherapeutics, genes, and small-interfering RNAs for TNBC.
Main Results:
- Polymeric nanoparticles demonstrate unique properties ideal for targeted drug delivery, including enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect.
- These nanocarriers can improve therapeutic efficacy, bioavailability, and reduce systemic toxicity of anti-cancer agents.
- Potential application of polymeric nanoparticles as theragnostic agents for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of TNBC.
Conclusions:
- Polymeric nanocarriers represent a promising platform for overcoming the therapeutic challenges posed by triple-negative breast cancer.
- Strategic design and functionalization of these nanocarriers can lead to more effective and less toxic treatments for TNBC.
- Further research into polymeric nanocarriers could revolutionize TNBC management and improve patient survival rates.
