Novel delivery approaches for cancer therapeutics

Abstract

Currently, a majority of cancer treatment strategies are based on the removal of tumor mass mainly by surgery. Chemical and physical treatments such as chemo- and radiotherapies have also made a major contribution in inhibiting rapid growth of malignant cells. Furthermore, these approaches are often combined to enhance therapeutic indices. It is widely known that surgery, chemo- and radiotherapy also inhibit normal cells growth. In addition, these treatment modalities are associated with severe side effects and high toxicity which in turn lead to low quality of life. This review encompasses novel strategies for more effective chemotherapeutic delivery aiming to generate better prognosis. Currently, cancer treatment is a highly dynamic field and significant advances are being made in the development of novel cancer treatment strategies. In contrast to conventional cancer therapeutics, novel approaches such as ligand or receptor based targeting, triggered release, intracellular drug targeting, gene delivery, cancer stem cell therapy, magnetic drug targeting and ultrasound-mediated drug delivery, have added new modalities for cancer treatment. These approaches have led to selective detection of malignant cells leading to their eradication with minimal side effects. Lowering, multi-drug resistance and involving influx transportation in targeted drug delivery to cancer cells can also contribute significantly in the therapeutic interventions in cancer.

Metal–Organic Polyhedron Capped with Cucurbit[8]uril Delivers Doxorubicin to Cancer Cells

“…cathepsin B expression, acidic cytosol). 3,9 Unfortunately, some doxorubicin prodrugs undergo sluggish cellular internalization which hampers their efficacy. 10 In this paper, we seek to combine the desirable structural properties of a nanoscale metal-organic polyhedron scaffold with those of a doxorubicin prodrug ( 2 ) self-assembled via host-guest assistance with cucurbit[8]uril.…”

In Vitro Toxicity of Asparagus Saponins in Distinct Multidrug‐Resistant Colon Cancer Cells

“…However, in the other 50 % chemo-therapy fails due to the apparition of drug-resistant tumor cells which are often the ultimate cause of death. [6] MDR is one of the main problems to the successful treatment of colon cancer and consists of simultaneous resistance to many structurally and functionally unrelated cytotoxic agents. MDR in tumors involves different processes which have been broadly classified into non-cellular and cellular resistance mechanisms.…”

Programmable and Multifunctional DNA‐Based Materials for Biomedical Applications

“…The successful delivery of DNA‐based structures into cells without visible toxicity paves the way to functionalized them as drug delivery vehicles and holds the promising desirability of overcoming the unfavorable merits of standard drug delivery materials, such as quality assurance of liposome and the incomplete and transient shielding effect of PEG . Among all kinds of medications needed to be delivered through the DNA‐related platform, cancer therapeutics are prioritized due to aggressive cancer lethality. In addition, most of therapeutics and chemo therapeutics, in particular, will indiscriminately suppress/kill all cells, which generally initiate the side effects .…”