Amelioration of Cancer Employing Chitosan, Its Derivatives, and Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles: Recent Updates

Abstract

The limitations associated with the conventional treatment of cancer have necessitated the design and development of novel drug delivery systems based mainly on nanotechnology. These novel drug delivery systems include various kinds of nanoparticles, such as polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, hydrogels, and polymeric micelles. Among the various kinds of novel drug delivery systems, chitosan-based nanoparticles have attracted the attention of researchers to treat cancer. Chitosan is a polycationic polymer generated from chitin with various characteristics such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and mucoadhesiveness, making it an ideal polymer to fabricate drug delivery systems. However, chitosan is poorly soluble in water and soluble in acidic aqueous solutions. Furthermore, owing to the presence of reactive amino groups, chitosan can be chemically modified to improve its physiochemical properties. Chitosan and its modified derivatives can be employed to fabricate nanoparticles, which are used most frequently in the pharmaceutical sector due to their possession of various characteristics such as nanosize, appropriate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, non-immunogenicity, improved stability, and improved drug loading capacity. Furthermore, it is capable of delivering nucleic acids, chemotherapeutic medicines, and bioactives using modified chitosan. Chitosan and its modified derivative-based nanoparticles can be targeted to specific cancer sites via active and passive mechanisms. Based on chitosan drug delivery systems, many anticancer drugs now have better effectiveness, potency, cytotoxicity, or biocompatibility. The characteristics of chitosan and its chemically tailored derivatives, as well as their use in cancer therapy, will be examined in this review.

ULK1 Mediated Autophagy-Promoting Effects of Rutin-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles Contribute to the Activation of NF-κB Signaling Besides Inhibiting EMT in Hep3B Hepatoma Cells

“…Also, the toxic effects on cancerous cells were higher, whereas a low toxicity profile was exhibited on normal cells. 176 , 177 This might be due to the fact that the nanomaterials stay in the blood pH for prolonged durations, penetrate tissues and release the drug at the acidic pH (the one at targeted tumor location) with limited side-effects. 10 These kinds of materials which can show excellent extracellular stability (relating to pH 7) and release the drugs in a rapid manner at cancerous pH are sought for effective cancer therapy.…”

Nanoparticles for efficient drug delivery and drug resistance in glioma: New perspectives

“… 107 , 108 Micelles are composed of polymer chain segments that self‐assemble to form a core and shell structure, with the core usually composed of hydrophobic polymers and the shell composed of hydrophilic polymers. 109 , 110 This structure gives micelles dual hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, making them useful for a wide range of applications such as drug delivery and material preparation. 111 , 112 Major methods for the preparation of polymeric micelles include solvent evaporation, reversed‐phase microemulsion, and thermodynamic methods.…”

Nanocarriers in Tuberculosis Treatment: Challenges and Delivery Strategies

“…Albumin, collagen, chitosan, hemoglobin, and alginate are examples of natural polymers; however, they are not frequently used due to their high cost or low purity [54]. Synthetic polymers which are biodegradable, biocompatible, and stable include poly(amides), poly(amino acids), poly(alk-l-cyanoacrylates), poly(esters), and poly(orthoesters) [55]. PLGA (poly(lactide-coglycolide)) copolymers are among those mentioned above that are frequently employed in anti-TB drug delivery.…”