Although many solid tumors use the lymphatic system to metastasize, there are few treatment options that directly target cancer present in the lymphatic system, and those that do are highly invasive, uncomfortable, and/or have limitations. This review gives a brief overview of lymphatic function and anatomy, discusses changes that befall the lymphatics in cancer and the mechanisms by which these changes occur, and presents limitations for drug delivery to the lymphatic system. We then go on to summarize relevant techniques and new research for targeting cancer populations in the lymphatics and enhancing drug delivery intralymphatically, including intralymphatic injections, isolated limb perfusion, passive nano drug delivery systems, and actively targeted nanomedicine.
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