Nano-aggregates: emerging delivery tools for tumor therapy

Crit Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst. 2013;30(6):535-63. doi: 10.1615/critrevtherdrugcarriersyst.2013007706.

Abstract

A plethora of formulation techniques have been reported in the literature for site-specific targeting of water-soluble and -insoluble anticancer drugs. Along with other vesicular and particulate carrier systems, nano-aggregates have recently emerged as a novel supramolecular colloidal carrier with promise for using poorly water-soluble drugs in molecular targeted therapies. Nano-aggregates possess some inherent properties such as size in the nanometers, high loading efficiency, and in vivo stability. Nano-aggregates can provide site-specific drug delivery via either a passive or active targeting mechanism. Nano-aggregates are formed from a polymer-drug conjugated amphiphilic block copolymer. They are suitable for encapsulation of poorly water-soluble drugs by covalent conjugation as well as physical encapsulation. Because of physical encapsulation, a maximum amount of drug can be loaded in nano-aggregates, which helps to achieve a sufficiently high drug concentration at the target site. Active transport can be achieved by conjugating a drug with vectors or ligands that bind specifically to receptors being overexpressed in the tumor cells. In this review, we explore synthesis and tumor targeting potential of nano-aggregates with active and passive mechanisms, and we discuss various characterization parameters, ex vivo studies, biodistribution studies, clinical trials, and patents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Carriers / administration & dosage
  • Drug Carriers / adverse effects
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Carriers / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Compounding
  • Drug Delivery Systems* / trends
  • Humans
  • Micelles
  • Nanostructures / administration & dosage
  • Nanostructures / adverse effects
  • Nanostructures / chemistry
  • Nanotechnology* / trends
  • Patents as Topic
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Micelles