Pulmonary Delivery of Anticancer Drugs via Lipid-Based Nanocarriers for the Treatment of Lung Cancer: An Update

Abstract

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, responsible for approximately 18.4% of all cancer mortalities in both sexes combined. The use of systemic therapeutics remains one of the primary treatments for LC. However, the therapeutic efficacy of these agents is limited due to their associated severe adverse effects, systemic toxicity and poor selectivity. In contrast, pulmonary delivery of anticancer drugs can provide many advantages over conventional routes. The inhalation route allows the direct delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to the target LC cells with high local concertation that may enhance the antitumor activity and lead to lower dosing and fewer systemic toxicities. Nevertheless, this route faces by many physiological barriers and technological challenges that may significantly affect the lung deposition, retention, and efficacy of anticancer drugs. The use of lipid-based nanocarriers could potentially overcome these problems owing to their unique characteristics, such as the ability to entrap drugs with various physicochemical properties, and their enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect for passive targeting. Besides, they can be functionalized with different targeting moieties for active targeting. This article highlights the physiological, physicochemical, and technological considerations for efficient inhalable anticancer delivery using lipid-based nanocarriers and their cutting-edge role in LC treatment.

Effect of Cationic Lipid Nanoparticle Loaded siRNA with Stearylamine against Chikungunya Virus

“…Earlier reports indicated that ODA-based nanoparticles aided better stability, minimizing the leakage of entrapped drugs with a controlled release [36]. Studies even found that ODA-based lipid systems have greatly enhanced the delivery and bioavailability of several anticancer drugs [37][38][39]. Thus, we can affirm that ODA-based nanolipid formulation exhibits a combinatorial nature by CHIKV inhibition at a higher concentration aiding for effective transfection of siRNA at a lower concentration.…”

Lipid-Based Nanoparticles as a Pivotal Delivery Approach in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Therapy

“…Thus, if we just analyze the impact of LNPs over route of administration and targeting tumor site, based on the pre-clinical and clinical trials, we can conclusively state that for targeting lung cancer, pulmonary/inhalational route of administered was considered because the alveolar region of the lungs has larger surface area (~100 m 2 ), extensive vasculature, thin alveolar epithelium (0.1–0.2 μm), and fewer drug-metabolizing enzymes, which allows enhanced absorption and bioavailability of nanosized LNPs loaded with chemotherapeutics. Moreover, the mucus membrane present within the alveolar region is composed of phospholipids (lipids) that are the major components of LNPs; as a result, LNPs are considered more biocompatible than other types of nanoparticles [ 155 ]. Similarly, brain targeting possesses a challenge for the delivery of hydrophilic chemotherapeutics, as they were unable to bypass blood–brain-barrier (BBB), hence LNPs were prepared to deliver hydrophilic drugs into the brain.…”

Inhaled siRNA Formulations for Respiratory Diseases: From Basic Research to Clinical Application

“…Despite their certain cytotoxic effects and the irritating and sensitizing effects of surfactants, NLCs are still well suited for delivering drugs with a variety of physicochemical properties [110]. Besides, NLCs can improve bioavailability, biocompatibility, and slow-controlled release capability [111,112]. NLC inhalation formulations have been the subject of numerous investigations and applications [113][114][115].…”