Advances in combination therapies based on nanoparticles for efficacious cancer treatment: an analytical report

Biomacromolecules. 2015 Jan 12;16(1):1-27. doi: 10.1021/bm501285t. Epub 2014 Dec 11.

Abstract

The main objective of nanomedicine research is the development of nanoparticles as drug delivery systems or drugs per se to tackle diseases as cancer, which are a leading cause of death with developed nations. Targeted treatments against solid tumors generally lead to dramatic regressions, but, unfortunately, the responses are often short-lived due to resistant cancer cells. In addition, one of the major challenges of combination drug therapy (called "cocktail") is the crucial optimization of different drug parameters. This issue can be solved using combination nanotherapy. Nanoparticles developed in oncology based on combination nanotherapy are either (a) those designed to combat multidrug resistance or (b) those used to circumvent resistance to clinical cancer drugs. This review provides an overview of the different nanoparticles currently used in clinical treatments in oncology. We analyze in detail the development of combinatorial nanoparticles including dendrimers for dual drug delivery via two strategic approaches: (a) use of chemotherapeutics and chemosensitizers to combat multidrug resistance and (b) use of multiple cytotoxic drugs. Finally, in this review, we discuss the challenges, clinical outlook, and perspectives of the nanoparticle-based combination therapy in cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Drug Delivery Systems / trends*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Nanomedicine / methods
  • Nanomedicine / trends
  • Nanoparticles / administration & dosage*
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Research Report* / trends
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents