Recent Advances in Nanoparticle-Based Targeted Drug-Delivery Systems Against Cancer and Role of Tumor Microenvironment

Abstract

Cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide. The silent activation of cellular factors responsible for deviation from normal regulatory pathways leads to the development of cancer. Nano-biotechnology is a novel drug-delivery system with high potential of efficacy and accuracy to target lethal cancers. Various biocompatible nanoparticle (NP)-based drug-delivery systems such as liposomes, dendrimers, micelles, silica, quantum dots, and magnetic, gold, and carbon nanotubes have already been reported for successful targeted cancer treatment. NPs are functionalized with different biological molecules, peptides, antibody, and protein ligands for targeted drug delivery. These systems include a hydrophilic central core, a target-oriented biocompatible outer layer, and a middle hydrophobic core where the drug destined to reach target site resides. Most of the NPs have the ability to maintain their structural shape and are constructed according to the cancer microenvironment. The self-assembling and colloidal properties of NPs have caused them to become the best vehicles for targeted drug delivery. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a major role in cancer progression, detection, and treatment. Due to its continuous complex behavior, the TME can hinder delivery systems, thus halting cancer treatment. Nonetheless, a successful biophysiological interaction between the NPs and the TME results in targeted release of drugs. Currently, a number of drugs and NP-based delivery systems against cancer are in clinical and preclinical trials and a few have been approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA); for example: taxol, doxil, cerubidine, and adrucil. This review summarizes topical advances about the drugs being used for cancer treatment, their targeted delivery systems based on NPs, and the role of TME in this connection.

Utilisation of Targeted Nanoparticle Photosensitiser Drug Delivery Systems for the Enhancement of Photodynamic Therapy

“…Inorganic NPs are of metal oxide or metallic composition that normally consist of an inner inorganic core and an outer organic shell, which stabilises the particle in biological environments [ 14 , 15 ]. Moreover, the surface of inorganic NPs can easily be functionalised with various biomolecules for actively selective PS drug targeting of tumorous tissues [ 16 , 23 , 24 ]. Inorganic NPs have several advantages over organic NPs, including high stability, precise control over shape and size, as well as tuneable optical properties [ 20 , 24 ].…”

“…Moreover, the surface of inorganic NPs can easily be functionalised with various biomolecules for actively selective PS drug targeting of tumorous tissues [ 16 , 23 , 24 ]. Inorganic NPs have several advantages over organic NPs, including high stability, precise control over shape and size, as well as tuneable optical properties [ 20 , 24 ]. Generally, PSs drugs are incorporated by either physical absorption or covalent attachment onto the reactive surface groups of inorganic NPs [ 15 , 23 ].…”

Effect of Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes and their Citric Acid Polymerization on Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro

“…The average width of the nanotubes after the functionalization is shown in Table 1, with a faint silicon signal arising from the substrate. 4 Journal of Nanomaterials external walls of the acid-treated CNTs, which complementing with the IR spectroscopy information (Figure 3) indicates the presence of carboxyl functional groups on the walls of the nanotubes, generated during the acid functionalization [45,46]. A different kind of disorder is also noticeable as bamboo-like structures in the inner part of the fCNxs and PCNxs as shown in Figures 2(f) and 2(h), indicating the presence of nitrogen as a doping agent [48].…”

“…Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show great promise and notable breakthroughs have been done due to their optical [1], electrical [2], and mechanical properties, which have direct applications in biological areas [3] such as trackers for detection in cellular micro environment [4], as vehicles for delivery agents [4][5][6], or in cell differentiation [7,8] and tissue regeneration [8,9].…”

Advances in Drug Delivery via Biodegradable Ureteral Stent for the Treatment of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma

“…Various nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, nanogels, self-assembling peptides, micelles, water-soluble polymers, and carbon nanotubes have been successfully applied to targeted treatment of cancer. Nanoparticle-based drug carriers can improve the therapeutic effects of the loaded drugs by using active targeting for the site-specific delivery, and protecting normal cells from damage (Park, 2014;Ashfaq et al, 2017).…”