Nanoparticles‐Mediated Combination Therapies for Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Cancer is a dynamic disease characterized by its heterogeneous nature. This heterogeneity results in critical problems that interfere with the eradication of cancer tumors such as multidrug resistance, drug efflux capacity, narrow therapeutic window, and undesired side effects. Nanomedicine has introduced new platforms for drug delivery to enhance therapeutic efficiency of anticancer drugs. In addition to drug delivery, nanocarriers such as liposomes, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and metallic nanoparticles can be designed for detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Recent studies support the idea that a combination of two or more nanoparticle-mediated therapies can result in a synergistic therapeutic outcome to improve current cancer treatments. In this progress report, recent advances in nanoparticles-based combination therapies are discussed. A brief overview of the complexity of cancer tumor's microenvironment is presented, followed by discussion of combinatorial therapies categorized based on chemotherapeutic agents, nucleic acid or therapeutic proteins, energy-based therapies and imaging techniques for theranostic application. Different nanotechnological platforms are developed for combination therapy as tools with a great potential to tackle the most critical issues of current cancer treatments. A deeper understanding of these nanotechnologies and their possible long-term effects in biological systems is needed for further clinical translation.

<p>Gold Nanoparticles Mediated Drug-Gene Combinational Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment</p>

“…These nanoparticles were mixed with siRNA 30 minutes before adding to the cells. Cells were seeded in 48 well plates at a density of 0.25x10 5 . The cells were incubated with siRNA-GNS-PEI for 24 hours.…”

“…Combining multiple therapies that target various cellular pathways has demonstrated a synergistic or additive effect in cancer treatment by increasing the genetic barrier, minimizing side effects, and reducing therapeutic doses. 4 , 5 The combination of chemotherapy and gene therapy has shown a synergistic effect against various cancer types, including breast cancer. 6 , 7 Chemotherapy is the first line of treatment for cancer, as indicated by ample chemotherapeutic drugs available for almost all kinds of cancer types.…”

Photoacoustic Imaging in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

“…[192][193][194] Delivery vehicles for cancer therapy are equipped with different PA contrast agents for multimodal imaging for better diagnosis and staging of cancer. 195 Neovascularization is commonly observed in tumors, triggered by the hypoxic state within the tissue. 196 Oxygen saturation level and extent of vasculari-zation can be an indication of cancer progression.…”

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“…Combining chemotherapy with other treatment modalities is a good strategy to combat these shortcomings and augment therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, chemotherapeutic combination therapies can reduce drug dosage to patients, lightening side effects while enhancing efficacy (Yu et al, 2018 ; Shrestha et al, 2019 ; Zhang et al, 2019 ). Combination chemotherapy possesses great potential for cancer treatment (Goldin, 1980 ).…”