Pharmaceutical Aspects of Nanocarriers for Smart Anticancer Therapy

Abstract

Drug delivery to tumor sites using nanotechnology has been demonstrated to overcome the drawbacks of conventional anticancer drugs. Altering the surface shape and geometry of nanocomposites alters their chemical properties, which can confer multiple attributes to nanocarriers for the treatment of cancer and their use as imaging agents for cancer diagnosis. However, heterogeneity and blood flow in human cancer limit the distribution of nanoparticles at the site of tumor tisues. For targeted delivery and controlled release of drug molecules in harsh tumor microenvironments, smart nanocarriers combined with various stimuli-responsive materials have been developed. In this review, we describe nanomaterials for smart anticancer therapy as well as their pharmaceutical aspects including pharmaceutical process, formulation, controlled drug release, drug targetability, and pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic profiles of smart nanocarriers. Inorganic or organic-inorganic hybrid nanoplatforms and the electrospinning process have also been briefly described here.

Antitumor Activity of the Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Coated with Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin and Doxorubicin Complex In Vitro and In Vivo

“…Acidity is a unique hallmark of the tumor microenvironment. − Many pH-sensitive nanomedicines were designed and prepared to respond to the acidic tumor microenvironment promoting antitumor efficiency. − Inorganic nanomaterials, which possess a diverse range of structure, composition, morphology, and physicochemical properties have been used in cancer treatment and diagnosis as delivery carriers. − Recently, various metal oxides or calcium-based nanomaterials have been widely used as pH-sensitive inorganic nanomaterials. − It has been reported that ZnO NPs could be used as pH-responsive drug carriers, which possess pH-triggered drug release characteristics displaying a response to acid and a rapid dissolution to Zn 2+ at pH <5.5, especially in lysosomes used for intracellular drug delivery platforms. − The intracellular Zn 2+ produced by ZnO NPs has cytotoxic effects in tumor cells. , In addition, ZnO NPs could significantly induce the generation of ROS in tumor cells. − In particular, ZnO NPs can make full utilization of disproportional reaction, Haber–Weiss reaction, or Fenton reaction to compensate for O 2 -depletion, thus greatly improving the therapeutic efficacy against hypoxic tumors . ZnO NPs also have good optical properties and high stability to be a promising candidate for bioimaging. , ZnO NPs could be used to in situ upconvert NIR to visible light through the second harmonic generation (SHG) mechanism for tumor imaging. , Recently, we designed an H 2 O 2 -triggered intelligent photodynamic therapy (PDT) nano delivery system, LCL/ZnO, that could selectively regulate the tumor-derived endothelial cells (TECs) and specifically kill tumor cells by producing different singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) in response to different H 2 O 2 gradients in TECs and tumor cells .…”

Emerging delivery strategy for oncolytic virotherapy

“… 49 Then, environmental responsive intelligent nanocarriers have emerged, offering enhanced precision, selectivity, and sensitivity in delivering OVs. 50 Researchers developed a pH-responsive polymer-coated OA; this hybrid carrier demonstrated superior targeted action, improved cellular uptake, and anti-tumor efficacy under specific pH levels. 51 , 52 , 53 Additionally, external ultrasound further enhanced tumor tropism and penetration of viral nano-delivery platforms.…”