Title:Multifunctional Nanoparticles in Precise Cancer Treatment: Considerations in Design and Functionalization of Nanocarriers
Volume: 20
Issue: 27
Author(s): Lina Lu, Shuhe Kang, Chao Sun, Chufeng Sun, Zhong Guo, Jia Li, Taofeng Zhang, Xingping Luo and Bin Liu *
Affiliation:
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu,China
Keywords:
Nanoparticles, Targeted cancer treatment, Physiochemical characteristics, Targeting strategies, Clinical applications,
Toxicity.
Abstract: Nanotechnology has revolutionized cancer treatment in both diagnosis and therapy. Since the
initial application of nanoparticles (NPs) in cancer treatment, the main objective of nanotechnology was
developing effective nanosystems with high selectivity and specificity for cancer treatment and diagnosis.
To achieve this, different encapsulation and conjugation strategies along with surface functionalization
techniques have been developed to synthesize anticancer drugs loaded NPs with effective targeting
to specific tumor cells. The unique physicochemical attributes of NPs make them promising candidates
for targeted drug delivery, localized therapies, sensing, and targeting at cellular levels. However, a nanosystem
for localized and targeted cancer managements should overcome several biological barriers and
biomedical challenges such as endothelial barriers, blood brain barrier, reticuloendothelial system, selective
targeting, biocompatibility, acute/chronic toxicity, tumor-targeting efficacy. The NPs for in vivo
applications encounter barriers at system, organ, and the cellular level. To overcome these barriers, different
strategies during the synthesis and functionalization of NPs should be adapted. Pharmacokinetics
and cellular uptake of NPs are largely associated with physicochemical attributes of NPs, morphology,
hydrodynamic size, charge, and other surface properties. These properties can be adjusted during different
phases of synthesis and functionalization of the NPs. This study reviews the advances in targeted
cancer treatment and the parameters influencing the efficacies of NPs as therapeutics. Different strategies
for overcoming the biological barriers at cellular, organ and system levels and biomedical challenges
are discussed. Moreover, the applications of NPs in preclinical and clinical practice are reviewed.