A superior method for antitumor therapy and application: dual-ligand nanomedicines
Ailing Wang1,2,3, Xuejun Wang2,3, Dan Li2,3
1College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China. liujiyong@fudan.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Currently, nanomedicines have been widely applied in the treatment of various types of tumors. However, due to the complexity of the tumor microenvironment, conventional nanomedicines often exhibit poor efficacy, insufficient site specificity, and susceptibility to off-target effects. In contrast, dual-ligand nanomedicines demonstrate superior targeting ability and drug penetration in tumor therapy. These nanomedicines are equipped with two ligands on their surface, enabling targeting of specific receptors on the same or different cells. The specific binding between ligands and receptors significantly enhances the selectivity and targeting of dual-ligand nanomedicines towards tumors. This review systematically describes the preparation of dual-ligand nanomedicines, the influencing factors, and the types of delivered drugs, focusing on the application of dual-ligand nanomedicines in targeting the treatment of various tumors. We highlight the comprehensiveness of dual-ligand nanomedicines for the treatment of tumors, including glioblastoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, gastric cancer, and many other types of tumors. Finally, the possible challenges for the future development of dual-ligand nanomedicines in terms of preparation, clinic, and safety are further analyzed. We look forward to exploring dual-ligand nanomedicines in greater depth to provide references for their future development and clinical applications.
Insights
Dual-ligand nanomedicines offer improved tumor targeting and drug delivery compared to conventional therapies. This review details their preparation, applications in various cancers, and future challenges for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Conventional nanomedicines face challenges in tumor treatment due to the complex tumor microenvironment, leading to poor efficacy and off-target effects.
- Dual-ligand nanomedicines present a promising alternative with enhanced targeting specificity and drug penetration capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the preparation and application of dual-ligand nanomedicines for targeted tumor therapy.
- To highlight the potential of dual-ligand nanomedicines in treating diverse cancers, including glioblastoma, lung, breast, and gastric cancers.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on dual-ligand nanomedicine preparation and formulation.
- Analysis of receptor-ligand interactions for enhanced tumor cell selectivity.
- Compilation of data on the efficacy of dual-ligand nanomedicines across various tumor models.
Main Results:
- Dual-ligand nanomedicines demonstrate superior targeting and penetration in the tumor microenvironment by utilizing dual receptor-ligand binding.
- These nanomedicines show broad applicability in treating various cancers, enhancing treatment selectivity and efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Dual-ligand nanomedicines represent a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapy, offering improved specificity and efficacy.
- Further research into preparation, clinical translation, and safety is crucial for realizing the full potential of these advanced nanotherapeutics.
Related Concept Videos
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...


