Passive targeting of nanoparticles to cancer: A comprehensive review of the literature

Abstract

Abstract.Cancer remains the one of the most common causes of mortality in humans; thus, cancer treatment is currently a major focus of investigation. Researchers worldwide have been searching for the optimal treatment (the 'magic bullet') that will selectively target cancer, without afflicting significant morbidity. Recent advances in cancer nanotechnology have raised exciting opportunities for specific drug delivery by an emerging class of nanotherapeutics that may be targeted to neoplastic cells, thereby offering a major advantage over conventional chemotherapeutic agents. There are two ways by which targeting of nanoparticles may be achieved, namely passive and active targeting. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive review of the literature focusing on passive targeting.

Biointerfacing and Applications of Cell Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles

“…4–5 These combined characteristics have been used for many impactful therapeutic applications, including drug delivery, 6–7 vaccination, 8–10 gene delivery, 11 and antimicrobial. 12 Another main benefit of nanoparticles is the ability to functionalize the surface with moieties such as targeting ligands, 13 polymers, 14 imaging dyes, 15 enzymes, 16 and other biomolecules.…”

Protein based therapeutic delivery agents: Contemporary developments and challenges

“…The EPR effect first reported in 1986 by Matsumura and Maeda is a unique phenomenon of tumors largely producing vascular permeability factors owing to its defective blood vessels to ensure tumor tissues are supplied with sufficient nutrients and oxygen for rapid growth [22]. This essentially facilitates transport dynamics of macromolecules and a concept of passive targeting [23] governed by the factors associated with tumor microvasculature and microenvironment such as size, shape and surface charge [24]. Therefore, in order to remain a therapeutic in the circulation for minimum 6 hours to accumulate in the neoplastic tissue [25], macromolecules often require an apparent molecular weight of >40~50 kDa [21, 25].…”

Recent advances in dendrimer-based nanovectors for tumor-targeted drug and gene delivery

“…In this regard, a passive targeting approach is identified by accumulation of drug or drug–carrier system at a particular site as a result of the inherent pathophysicological, physicochemical or pharmacological factors [8-10]. However, an active targeting approach is identified by specific modification of drug or drug or gene carriers with active ‘homing’ ligands that have high affinity for binding to a specific cell type, tissue or organ in the body [3,11-13] (Figure 1).…”