Importance of the field: The lack of selective delivery of therapeutic molecules to cancer cells remains a problem in cancer therapy. As a result of this non-selectivity, cytotoxic agents are delivered to both healthy and cancerous cells, resulting in severe side effects for the patient, eventually causing termination of therapy or ineffective therapy resulting in progression or recurrence of the disease. In this context, cationic polymers with net positive surface charge emerge as a promising option owing to their very strong cellular interaction properties and good cellular uptake.
Areas covered in this review: In this review, the structure, characteristics and preparation techniques for cationic nanoparticulate drug delivery systems are discussed in the light of cytotoxicity associated with cationic polymers and strong complement activation properties of cationic carrier systems on injection. In vivo behavior and biodistribution of cationic nanoparticles are also reviewed for a better understanding of biological interaction of cationic nanoparticles.
What the reader will gain: This review will give an insight to the properties of cationic polymers, including their advantages and drawbacks and drug/gene delivery systems based on cationic polymers intended for cancer therapy.
Take home message: Cationic polymer-based nanoparticles emerge as a promising group of nanosize carrier systems to the tumor cell level with a wide range of modification and application possibilities.