Therapeutic application of anti-angiogenic nanomaterials in cancers

Abstract

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, plays a vital role in physiological and pathological processes (embryonic development, wound healing, tumor growth and metastasis). The overall balance of angiogenesis inside the human body is maintained by pro- and anti-angiogenic signals. The processes by which drugs inhibit angiogenesis as well as tumor growth are called the anti-angiogenesis technique, a most promising cancer treatment strategy. Over the last couple of decades, scientists have been developing angiogenesis inhibitors for the treatment of cancers. However, conventional anti-angiogenic therapy has several limitations including drug resistance that can create problems for a successful therapeutic strategy. Therefore, a new comprehensive treatment strategy using antiangiogenic agents for the treatment of cancer is urgently needed. Recently researchers have been developing and designing several nanoparticles that show anti-angiogenic properties. These nanomedicines could be useful as an alternative strategy for the treatment of various cancers using anti-angiogenic therapy. In this review article, we critically focus on the potential application of anti-angiogenic nanomaterial and nanoparticle based drug/siRNA/peptide delivery systems in cancer therapeutics. We also discuss the basic and clinical perspectives of anti-angiogenesis therapy, highlighting its importance in tumor angiogenesis, current status and future prospects and challenges.

Tumor Angiogenesis and Anti-Angiogenic Strategies for Cancer Treatment

“…As nanoparticles exhibit endothelial cells targeting abilities, they can efficiently deliver anti-angiogenic agents to the tumor site. Moreover, the use of nanoparticles further facilitates drug penetration into the tumor microenvironment and increase therapeutic efficacy by reducing the systemic toxicity [153,154]. The mechanisms of nanoparticle incorporation within the tumor mainly include ligand-mediated active targeting and passive targeting through the enhanced permeability and retention effects [151].…”

“…In this manner, the tumor blood flow would be enhanced, thus improving the perfusion and oxygenation of tumor cells and allowing for anti-cancer drug retention [151,154]. Examples of the intensively studied nanoparticles employed for the delivery of anti-angiogenic agents include cerium oxide, gold, silver, copper, silicate and silica-based, carbon-based, chitosan, and peptide-conjugated nanoparticles [153]. As it has been proven that nanoparticles properties, such as size and shape, directly influence angiogenesis processes within tumors, the fabrication process is essential for the outcome of the treatment [155].…”

Nanoparticles as new tools for inhibition of cancer angiogenesis

“…Silver NP is other metal NP which shows various therapeutic and diagnostic properties including antimicrobial activity (Negahdari et al, 2016), anti-fungal activity, anti-cancer activity, and could be used in imaging, bio-sensing and drug delivery (Mukherjee & Patra, 2016). The concentration of 500 nm of AgNPs could provide anti-angiogenic activity in several steps (Gurunathan et al, 2009).…”

Recent Advancements of Nanomedicine towards Antiangiogenic Therapy in Cancer

“…Other pro-angiogenic signals fibroblast growth factor ((FGF) family members, transforming growth factor-β, etc. ), when persistently upregulated, also contribute to sustain tumor angiogenesis [5,13]. Amid all plausible ways to treat cancer, anti-angiogenic therapy-targeting tumor vasculature to prevent aberrant capillary sprouting-has received an astounding outpouring of research in the last few decades [14,15].…”