Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 15, 2025
Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Advancing Cancer-Targeted Nanotherapies with Tumor Homing Peptides
Antonella Rocchi1,2, Tambet Teesalu2,3, Christian Celia1,4,5
1Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti - Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, Chieti 66100, Italy.
Abstract:
The development of smart nanoparticles for precision medicine in anticancer drug delivery and controlled release has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. This progress is driven by expanding body of preclinical and early clinical studies on anticancer nanoparticles. Despite these advancements, a critical challenge remains achieving a selective and efficient tumor accumulation, along with effective extravasation and deep tissue penetration of nanoparticles into the tumor parenchyma. Affinity targeting strategies using ligands such as homing peptides and antibodies leverage molecular recognition to enhance selectivity, efficacy, and therapeutic activity by directing them to tumor-specific receptors or biomarkers, thereby minimizing off-target effects and improving drug delivery efficiency. Tumor-homing C-end Rule (CendR) peptides, such as prototypic iRGD peptide, represent a promising strategy due to their unique multistep mechanism that facilitates both selective targeting and enhanced tissue penetration. This review highlights key milestones in the evolution of peptide-targeted nanoparticles, underscoring their role in advancing precision nanomedicine.
Insights
Smart nanoparticles offer revolutionary anticancer drug delivery. Tumor-homing peptides like C-end Rule (CendR) peptides enhance targeted delivery and tissue penetration for precision nanomedicine.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Smart nanoparticles are advancing precision medicine for cancer treatment.
- Preclinical and clinical studies show promise for anticancer nanoparticles.
- Challenges remain in achieving selective tumor accumulation and deep tissue penetration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in peptide-targeted nanoparticles for cancer therapy.
- To highlight strategies for enhancing nanoparticle tumor targeting and penetration.
- To underscore the role of tumor-homing peptides in precision nanomedicine.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical and clinical studies on anticancer nanoparticles.
- Analysis of affinity targeting strategies using ligands like homing peptides and antibodies.
- Focus on the mechanism of C-end Rule (CendR) peptides for enhanced targeting and penetration.
Main Results:
- Peptide-targeted nanoparticles demonstrate improved selectivity and efficacy.
- C-end Rule (CendR) peptides facilitate multistep targeting and tissue penetration.
- These strategies minimize off-target effects and improve drug delivery efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Peptide-targeted nanoparticles represent a significant evolution in nanomedicine.
- Tumor-homing peptides are crucial for overcoming delivery challenges in cancer therapy.
- Further development of these nanoparticles holds promise for revolutionizing cancer treatment.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:50Combination 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...