Receptor-targeted Drug delivery: Current Perspective and Challenges

Abstract

Receptor-targeted drug delivery has been extensively explored for active targeting. However, the scarce clinical applications of such delivery systems highlight the implicit hurdles in development of such systems. These hurdles begin with lack of knowledge of differential expression of receptors, their accessibility and identification of newer receptors. Similarly, ligand-specific challenges range from proper choice of ligand and conjugation chemistry, to release of drug/delivery system from ligand. Finally, nanocarrier systems, which offer improved loading, biocompatibility and reduced premature degradation, also face multiple challenges. This review focuses on understanding these challenges, and means to overcome such challenges to develop efficient, targeted drug-delivery systems.

Encapsulation of honokiol into self-assembled pectin nanoparticles for drug delivery to HepG2 cells

“…Targeted drug delivery systems can improve anti-tumor efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity by limiting the bioactivity of anticancer drugs to the localized tumor, as well as significantly improve therapeutic efficiency Du et al, 2013;Huang et al, 2010;Paranjpe et al, 2004;Qu, Lin, Zhang, Xue, & Zhang, 2013); this system is dependent on passive nanoparticle capture through enhanced permeability and retention effect (Fang, Nakamura, & Maeda, 2011;Li et al, 2013;Torchilin, 2011) or active targeting based on overexpressed receptor recognition by binding to decorated ligands on the surface of carriers (Choi et al, 2010;Danhier, Feron, & Preat, 2010;Kolhatkar, Lote, & Khambati, 2011;Vhora et al, 2014). Asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGR), which are mainly expressed on the surface of hepatocellular carcinoma cells, can be specifically recognized by galactose residues; the targeting efficiency of vehicles modified by galactose residues can be significantly enhanced by receptor-mediated endocytosis (Yik, Saxena, Weigel, & Weigel, 2002).…”

Active Drug Targeting of a Folate-Based Cyclodextrin–Doxorubicin Conjugate and the Cytotoxic Effect on Drug-Resistant Mammary Tumor Cells In Vitro

“…Drug delivery systems are newly designed for the optimization of medical therapies such as those using anticancer drugs. Particularly, the concept of drug targeting is an efficient and important approach for the targeted pathological sites such as cancer cells . Drug targeting can prevent nonspecific distribution to other organs, resulting in the reduction of side effects.…”

“…Particularly, the concept of drug targeting is an efficient and important approach for the targeted pathological sites such as cancer cells. [1][2][3] Drug targeting can prevent nonspecific distribution to other organs, resulting in the reduction of side effects. Recently, carrier-based drug targeting by liposomes, micelles, albumin, emulsions, metal-based particles, and cyclodextrin (CD) has been extensively developing.…”

Breakthroughs in modern cancer therapy and elusive cardiotoxicity: Critical research‐practice gaps, challenges, and insights

“…In light of emerging chronotherapeutic approaches, various chronoprogrammable drug delivery systems have been developed . These approaches include chronomodulating infusion pumps, controlled‐release microchip strategies, floating pulsatile systems, nanotechnology, press‐coating approaches, micro‐electrochemical systems, osmotic pressure, microchips, liposomes, thermosensitive hydrogels, micro‐ and nanocarriers, and microparticle‐based systems.…”

“…In light of emerging chronotherapeutic approaches, 366 various chronoprogrammable drug delivery systems have been developed. 329,339,[367][368][369][370][371][372][373][374][375][376][377][378][379][380][381] These approaches include chronomodulating infusion pumps, controlled-release microchip strategies, floating pulsatile systems, nanotechnology, press-coating approaches, micro-electrochemical systems, osmotic pressure, microchips, liposomes, thermosensitive hydrogels, micro-and nanocarriers, and microparticle-based systems. The development of programmable time pumps has enabled the safe and highly effective delivery of combination chronotherapy protocols.…”