Peptide functionalized liposomes for receptor targeted cancer therapy

Abstract

Most clinically approved cancer therapies are potent and toxic small molecules that are limited by severe off-target toxicities and poor tumor-specific localization. Over the past few decades, attempts have been made to load chemotherapies into liposomes, which act to deliver the therapeutic agent directly to the tumor. Although liposomal encapsulation has been shown to decrease toxicity in human patients, reliance on passive targeting via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect has left some of these issues unresolved. Recently, investigations into modifying the surface of liposomes via covalent and/or electrostatic functionalization have offered mechanisms for tumor homing and subsequently controlled chemotherapeutic delivery. A wide variety of biomolecules can be utilized to functionalize liposomes such as proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, which enable multiple directions for cancer cell localization. Importantly, when nanoparticles are modified with such molecules, care must be taken as not to inactivate or denature the ligand. Peptides, which are small proteins with <30 amino acids, have demonstrated the exceptional ability to act as ligands for transmembrane protein receptors overexpressed in many tumor phenotypes. Exploring this strategy offers a method in tumor targeting for cancers such as glioblastoma multiforme, pancreatic, lung, and breast based on the manifold of receptors overexpressed on various tumor cell populations. In this review, we offer a comprehensive summary of peptide-functionalized liposomes for receptor-targeted cancer therapy.

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

“…Immunoliposomes were also produced by chemically attaching antibodies or fragments of antibodies to the liposomal surface, leading to solid precision for their target antigens. In cancer treatment, the use of targeted liposomes formulated using a range of different engineering techniques has proven minimal off-target effects on healthy tissues [ 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

Targeting interleukin-13 receptor α2 (IL-13Rα2) for glioblastoma therapy with surface functionalized nanocarriers

“…The cellular uptake was enhanced to 89% from 47% after surface modification of liposome through peptide. In vivo results in U87-bearing xenograft mice showed significant tumor volume reduction (Aronson et al., 2021 ). To pave the ways for traversing the difficult barriers of blood–brain and blood–brain tumor and target IL13α2R is indeed improved through the discussed surface functionalized nanocarriers.…”

Functional biomaterials

“…To this end, Aronson and colleagues summarize peptide-functionalized liposomes towards receptor-targeted cancer therapy. 20 This is followed by the review by Ma and colleagues detailing functional bionanomaterials for cellular surface engineering put forward to utilities in cancer immunotherapy. 21 Xu and colleagues subsequently showcase the possibility of noninvasive remote neuro-stimulation with physical fields enabled by nanomaterials.…”