Functionalization of Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery Systems and Its Influence in Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Research into the application of nanocarriers in the delivery of cancer-fighting drugs has been a promising research area for decades. On the other hand, their cytotoxic effects on cells, low uptake efficiency, and therapeutic resistance have limited their therapeutic use. However, the urgency of pressing healthcare needs has resulted in the functionalization of nanoparticles’ (NPs) physicochemical properties to improve clinical outcomes of new, old, and repurposed drugs. This article reviews recent research on methods for targeting functionalized nanoparticles to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Additionally, the use of relevant engineering techniques for surface functionalization of nanocarriers (liposomes, dendrimers, and mesoporous silica) and their critical roles in overcoming the current limitations in cancer therapy—targeting ligands used for targeted delivery, stimuli strategies, and multifunctional nanoparticles—were all reviewed. The limitations and future perspectives of functionalized nanoparticles were also finally discussed. Using relevant keywords, published scientific literature from all credible sources was retrieved. A quick search of the literature yielded almost 400 publications. The subject matter of this review was addressed adequately using an inclusion/exclusion criterion. The content of this review provides a reasonable basis for further studies to fully exploit the potential of these nanoparticles in cancer therapy.

Recent Advances in CXCL12/CXCR4 Antagonists and Nano-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Therapy

“…Nano-based drug delivery systems (NDDS) have attracted significant concerns with regard to their potential application in cancer therapy over the last few decades [ 119 ]. For conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, the most significant drawbacks of NDDS relate to unsatisfactory therapeutic effects and serious adverse drug reactions; these are closely associated with poor stability, multi-drug resistance, and uncontrolled systemic distribution [ 120 ]. Therefore, research in the field of NDDS is being developed rapidly.…”

Exploiting Nanomedicine for Cancer Polychemotherapy: Recent Advances and Clinical Applications

“…Functionalization of nanoparticles for delivery of anticancer drugs has been extensively reviewed by Seidu et al [ 40 ]. Focusing on liposomes, NP functionalization has been achieved using several approaches including peptides, antibodies, small molecules, and aptamers.…”

“…Transferrin receptors, overexpressed in several tumors, have been targeted using either antibody fragments or peptides such as T7 peptide or transferrin itself; RGD peptides have been used to target integrins and folate to target folate receptors. Aptamers are synthetic oligonucleotides capable of binding to specific targets; they have been used to target molecules overexpressed on the tumor cell surface, such as nucleolins and CD44, or in the tumor microenvironment, such as IL-4Rα [ 40 ] ( Figure 2 ).…”

Injectable hydrogels as emerging drug-delivery platforms for tumor therapy

“…2 In recent decades, nano-drug delivery systems (NDDS) have provided a promising approach for controlled and targeted drug delivery and are a promising strategy for cancer treatment. 3 Nanocarriers, including liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendritic macromolecules, carbon nanotubes, gold nanoparticles, etc., have the ability to recognize tumor cells and deliver therapeutic agents in a fixed ratio, causing little harm to healthy cells. All these nano-systems offer advantages such as tumor-targeted drug delivery, reduced systemic side effects, prolonged plasma circulation, and the ability to carry larger drug payloads while preventing recognition by efflux pumps.…”