Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery in Cancer Therapy and Its Role in Overcoming Drug Resistance

Abstract

Nanotechnology has been extensively studied and exploited for cancer treatment as nanoparticles can play a significant role as a drug delivery system. Compared to conventional drugs, nanoparticle-based drug delivery has specific advantages, such as improved stability and biocompatibility, enhanced permeability and retention effect, and precise targeting. The application and development of hybrid nanoparticles, which incorporates the combined properties of different nanoparticles, has led this type of drug-carrier system to the next level. In addition, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have been shown to play a role in overcoming cancer-related drug resistance. The mechanisms of cancer drug resistance include overexpression of drug efflux transporters, defective apoptotic pathways, and hypoxic environment. Nanoparticles targeting these mechanisms can lead to an improvement in the reversal of multidrug resistance. Furthermore, as more tumor drug resistance mechanisms are revealed, nanoparticles are increasingly being developed to target these mechanisms. Moreover, scientists have recently started to investigate the role of nanoparticles in immunotherapy, which plays a more important role in cancer treatment. In this review, we discuss the roles of nanoparticles and hybrid nanoparticles for drug delivery in chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy and describe the targeting mechanism of nanoparticle-based drug delivery as well as its function on reversing drug resistance.

Caspase-Independent Regulated Necrosis Pathways as Potential Targets in Cancer Management

“…Thus far, the application of nano-DDS in ferroptosis has been studied much more than that in other modes of regulated necrosis, so we mainly explain nano-DDS in this section. Compared with traditional administration methods, nano-DDS has the advantages of promoted drug availability and targeting ability, high solubility, and enhanced permeability and retention effect, especially in early-stage solid tumors ( 220 , 221 ). There are two representative nanomedicines that have been applied in cancer management in clinical practice, involving Doxil and Abraxane ( 222 ).…”

Biogenic synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Argemone mexicana L. and their cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on human colon cancer cell line (HCT-15)

“…The current chemotherapeutic approach toward cancer management is insubstantial because of the associated side effects and multidrug resistance. Therefore, researchers worldwide are attempting alternative strategies such as various nano-formulations as promising nano-weapons for efficacious cancer management [ 4 – 7 ]. Metal nanoparticles are considered in biomedical applications because of their biodistribution, augmented efficacy, and reduced toxicity [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Update on Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery System for Anti-inflammatory Treatment

“…After therapy, those dying cells stimulate inflammatory effects, reduce the therapeutic effect, and enhance drug-resistance. Currently, various NPs have been shown to have a targeting effect on tumor cells, nanoparticle-based drug delivery system improves the drug concentration in target system and reduces drug-resistance ( Yao et al, 2020 ). Meanwhile, combined anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor drug delivery systems have been studied, and were found to be a potential tumor treatment, Huang et al, 2019 ) used red blood cell membrane (RBCm) vesicles as the shell to camouflage black phosphorus nanoparticle quantum dots (BPQDs) as drug carriers, Doxorubicin (OX) and Kirenol (KIR) were employed as anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory drugs.…”