Erschienen in:
15.10.2016 | Review Article
Trends on polymer- and lipid-based nanostructures for parenteral drug delivery to tumors
verfasst von:
Elham Ajorlou, Ahmad Yari Khosroushahi
Erschienen in:
Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology
|
Ausgabe 2/2017
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Abstract
Purpose
The dawn of the state-of-the-art methods of cancer treatments, nano-based delivery systems, has dispensed with the mainstream chemotherapy for being inadequate in yielding productive results and the numerous reported side effects. The popularity of this complementary approach in the course of the last two decades has been primarily attributed to its capacity to elevate the therapeutic index of anticancer drugs as well as removing the impassable delivery barriers in solid tumors with the minimal damage to the normal tissues.
Methods
The PubMed database was consulted to compile this review.
Results
A wide range of minuscule organic and inorganic nanomaterials, with dimensions not exceeding hundred nanometers, has led to hope for cancer therapy to flare-up once again due to possessing a number of exclusive traits for passive and active tumor targeting, some of which are EPR effect, high interstitial pressure of tumor, overexpressed receptors and angiogenesis. Although a limited number of liposomal and polymer-based therapeutic nanoparticles have gained applicability, a vast number of nanoparticles are still being trailed in order to be fully developed.
Conclusions
This study provides an overview of the advantages/disadvantages of nanocarriers for cancer drug delivery.