How to exploit different endocytosis pathways to allow selective delivery of anticancer drugs to cancer cells over healthy cells

Abstract

It was recently shown that it is possible to exploit the nanoparticle shape to selectively target endocytosis pathways found in cancer and not healthy cells.

How can we use the endocytosis pathways to design nanoparticle drug-delivery vehicles to target cancer cells over healthy cells?

“…We suggest repurposing the endocytosis inhibitors as drugs to prevent healthy cells from getting nanoparticles and/or improve the targeting to cancer cells. 13,25 In cancer nanomedicine research, endocytosis inhibitors are mainly used as a tool to study the uptake pathways of nanomaterials into cells. In fact, clathrin-mediated endocytosis inhibitors such as prochlorperazine, chlorpromazine, hydroxychloroquine have been used against bacterial and viral infections in human cells for decades, so their toxicity is well-documented.…”

“…The co-delivery of anticancer drugs and endocytosis inhibitors provides a promising approach for selective drug delivery and can easily be altered and personalised to target a specific cancer cell line. 13 Also, nanomedicines need to be designed according to the type of cancer cell lines being targeted and where the cancer cells are located to acknowledge which healthy cells are associated with cancer. For example, to target brain cancer cells the nanoparticles need to be designed to pass the blood-brain barrier so the size of nanoparticles needs to be small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier.…”

“…11 This is beneficial as macropinocytosis is a hallmark of cancer cells while most healthy cells are nonmacropinocytic, therefore, these nanorods were designed to target breast cancer cells over healthy breast cells. 5,12,13 In this review, we compare the latest understanding of nanoparticle uptake in both cancer and healthy cells. We particularly emphasize the importance of understanding the cancer cells.…”

“…11 This is beneficial as macropinocytosis is a hallmark of cancer cells while most healthy cells are non-macropinocytic, therefore, these nanorods were designed to target breast cancer cells over healthy breast cells. 5,12,13…”

Green emitting carbon quantum dots (GCQDs) to probe endocytic pathways in cells; for tissue and in vivo bioimaging

“…The understanding of the internalization pathways of CQDs in cells and tissues offers a great advantage for development of therapeutic strategies for their future exploration. The knowledge of the endocytosis pathway has allowed the engineering of nanoparticles to deliver drugs for cancer therapy 23,24,25,26 .…”