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Engineered nanoparticles for endocrine tumor targeting, current progress and future outlook
Maryam Aftab1, Zubair Ahmed2, Muneeb Ullah3
1Department of Biosciences, COMSATS University, Park Road 45520, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Abstract:
Endocrine tumors are hormone-secreting tumors that pose significant challenges for diagnosis and treatment due to their complex biological processes, delayed detection, and poor response to existing therapies. Despite advancements in imaging, surgery, and medicine, tumor heterogeneity, substantial barriers, and systemic toxicity hinder therapeutic success. A novel approach utilizing nanotechnology presents theranostics capabilities for various applications, enhances bioavailability, and ensures precise drug delivery. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs), including lipid-based, polymeric, and inorganic nanocarriers, enable targeted therapy through active targeting (ligand-receptor interactions) or passive accumulation (increased permeability and retention). These nanotechnologies address drug resistance and rapid clearance, delivering treatments directly to tumors while minimizing adverse effects on healthy cells. NPs that mimic biological processes or respond to external stimuli can adapt to the evolving tumor microenvironment. This review focuses on NP-based therapy for endocrine cancer, discussing their mechanisms of action, targeted approaches, and diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The limitations of current therapies and the future prospects of NP-based therapies are explored.
Insights
Nanotechnology offers new theranostic solutions for endocrine cancers, overcoming treatment challenges like drug resistance and toxicity. Engineered nanoparticles enable precise drug delivery, improving therapeutic outcomes for hormone-secreting tumors.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Theranostics
Background:
- Endocrine tumors present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to complexity, delayed detection, and poor response to conventional treatments.
- Tumor heterogeneity, drug resistance, and systemic toxicity limit current therapeutic success.
- Nanotechnology offers a novel theranostic approach to enhance drug bioavailability and precision delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of nanoparticle-based therapies for endocrine cancers.
- To discuss mechanisms of action, targeted delivery strategies, and theranostic applications of nanoparticles.
- To explore limitations of current therapies and future prospects of nanoparticle-based treatments for endocrine malignancies.
Main Methods:
- Review of engineered nanoparticles (lipid-based, polymeric, inorganic) for targeted endocrine cancer therapy.
- Discussion of active targeting (ligand-receptor) and passive accumulation (EPR effect) strategies.
- Analysis of nanoparticle mechanisms, including drug resistance mitigation and adaptation to tumor microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles enhance drug delivery precision, improving bioavailability and reducing systemic toxicity.
- Targeted nanoparticle delivery addresses drug resistance and rapid clearance issues.
- Responsive and biomimetic nanoparticles adapt to dynamic tumor microenvironments.
Conclusions:
- Nanoparticle-based theranostics represent a promising advancement in endocrine cancer treatment.
- Targeted drug delivery via nanoparticles overcomes key limitations of conventional therapies.
- Further research into nanoparticle-based therapies holds significant potential for improving patient outcomes in endocrine oncology.
