Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2025
Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
A promising strategy of surface-modified nanoparticles targeting CXCR4 for precision cancer therapy
Khent Primo Alcantara1,2, John Wilfred T Malabanan1,2, Opa Vajragupta1,3
1Center of Excellence in Natural Products for Ageing and Chronic Diseases, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Abstract:
Nanoparticle (NP) functionalization with specific ligands enhances targeted cancer therapy and imaging by promoting receptor recognition and improving cellular uptake. This review focuses on recent research exploring the interaction between cancer cell-expressed chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and ligand-conjugated NPs, utilising small molecules, peptides, and antibodies. Active NP targeting has shown improved tumour targeting and reduced toxicity, enabling precision therapy and diagnosis. However, challenges persist in the clinical translation of targeted NPs due to issues with biological response, tumour accumulation, and maintaining NP quality at an industrial scale. Biological and intratumoral barriers further hinder efficient NP accumulation in tumours, hampering translatability. To address these challenges, the academic community is refocusing efforts on understanding NP biological fate and establishing robust preclinical models. Future studies should investigate NP-body interactions, develop computational models, and identify optimal preclinical models. Establishing central NP research databases and fostering collaboration across disciplines is crucial to expediting clinical translation. Overcoming these hurdles will unlock the transformative potential of CXCR4-ligand-NP conjugates in revolutionising cancer treatment.
Insights
Ligand-conjugated nanoparticles targeting cancer cell chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) improve cancer therapy. Overcoming biological barriers and scaling production are key for clinical translation of these targeted nanoparticles.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Nanoparticle (NP) functionalization with ligands enhances targeted cancer therapy and imaging.
- Chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is a key target on cancer cells for NP-mediated delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on CXCR4-targeted NPs for cancer therapy and diagnosis.
- To identify challenges and future directions for clinical translation of these targeted NPs.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on small molecule, peptide, and antibody-conjugated NPs targeting CXCR4.
- Analysis of factors affecting NP tumor accumulation, biological response, and industrial scale-up.
Main Results:
- Active NP targeting demonstrates improved tumor targeting and reduced toxicity.
- Significant challenges remain in clinical translation, including biological barriers and NP quality control.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed on NP biological fate, NP-body interactions, and robust preclinical models.
- Collaboration and NP research databases are crucial for expediting the clinical translation of CXCR4-ligand-NP conjugates for cancer treatment.
More Related Videos
06:56A Flow Cytometry-based Assay to Identify Compounds That Disrupt Binding of Fluorescently-labeled CXC Chemokine Ligand 12 to CXC Chemokine Receptor 4
Published on: March 10, 2018
08:02Isolation of Primary Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from a Syngeneic Murine Model of Breast Cancer for the Study of Targeted Nanoparticles
Published on: May 14, 2021
