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Updated: Aug 15, 2025

Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier
Published on: February 8, 2017
Polysaccharide-based nanocarriers for efficient transvascular drug delivery
Min Zhang1, He Ma1, Xijie Wang1
1Institute of Biomedical Materials and Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
Polysaccharide-based nanocarriers (PBNs) face challenges in delivering anticancer drugs due to the limited enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect in tumors. Strategies are being developed to improve PBN extravasation and enhance drug delivery for better therapeutic outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Polysaccharide-based nanocarriers (PBNs) offer biocompatibility and versatility for anticancer drug delivery.
- The enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect is crucial for PBN extravasation into tumors.
- Tumor heterogeneity and complex vasculature can compromise the EPR effect, limiting drug delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in designing PBNs for enhanced transvascular transport.
- To discuss strategies for optimizing PBN extravasation in drug delivery.
- To explore challenges and future directions in PBN transendothelial mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on PBN design and drug delivery strategies.
- Analysis of methods to enhance the EPR effect and PBN extravasation.
- Discussion of active transcytosis pathways as alternatives to the EPR effect.
Main Results:
- Various strategies, including nanocarrier property regulation and tumor structure remodeling, can enhance PBN extravasation.
- Active transcytosis pathways offer a complementary approach to improve transvascular transport.
- Optimizing PBN extravasation is critical for efficient drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Overcoming biological barriers to PBN extravasation is key for effective cancer therapy.
- Further research is needed to clarify transendothelial mechanisms and extravasation interactions.
- Advanced PBN designs hold promise for improved anticancer drug delivery.
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