Recent Developments in Active Tumor Targeted Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Combination Chemotherapy in Cancer Treatment and Imaging

Abstract

Nanotechnology and combination therapy are two major fields that show great promise in the treatment of cancer. The delivery of drugs via nanoparticles helps to improve drug’s therapeutic effectiveness while reducing adverse side effects associated with high dosage by improving their pharmacokinetics. Taking advantage of molecular markers over-expressing on tumor tissues compared to normal cells, an “active” molecular marker targeted approach would be beneficial for cancer therapy. These actively targeted nanoparticles would increase drug concentration at the tumor site, improving efficacy while further reducing chemo-resistance. The multidisciplinary approach may help to improve the overall efficacy in cancer therapy. This review article summarizes recent developments of targeted multifunctional nanoparticles in the delivery of various drugs for a combinational chemotherapy approach to cancer treatment and imaging.

Double-receptor-targeting multifunctional iron oxide nanoparticles drug delivery system for the treatment and imaging of prostate cancer

“…[2][3][4][5] Targeted nanoparticle (NP) therapies reduce the toxic side effects of anticancer drugs in normal cells and tissues by targeting overexpressed cell surface receptors unique to cancer, directly or indirectly killing cancer cells while sparing noncancer cells. [6][7][8][9] One of the most commonly studied targeted drug delivery systems is the peptideguided nanocarrier which is intended to interact specifically with a unique cancerspecific surface protein. Upon interaction with the cancer-specific surface protein, the peptide-guided nanocarrier is internalized by the cancer cells.…”

Tissue Morphology and Gene Expression Characterisation of Transplantable Adenocarcinoma Bearing Mice Exposed to Fluorodeoxyglucose-Conjugated Magnetic Nanoparticles

“…10 The use of MNPs has been shown to result in many therapeutic benefits. [11][12][13] Moreover, they have low aggregation properties, enabling then to avoid emboli, are able to be incorporated easily into drug delivery systems and can be heated directly within an alternating magnetic field. [14][15][16][17] In addition, the use of magnetic field stimulation to induce tumour cell hyperthermia following intravenous administration of MNPs has been shown to be beneficial in controlling tumour growth.…”

In vivo comparative study of distinct polymeric architectures bearing a combination of paclitaxel and doxorubicin at a synergistic ratio

“…The use of polymers as targetable drug carriers helps to improve drug's therapeutic effectiveness while reducing adverse side effects associated with high dosage by improving their pharmacokinetics [1].…”