Multimodal Nanomedicine Strategies for Targeting Cancer Cells as well as Cancer Stem Cell Signalling Mechanisms

Mini Rev Med Chem. 2017;17(18):1688-1695. doi: 10.2174/1389557516666160219121634.

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that stem cells, a small population of cells with unique selfrenewable and tumour regenerative capacity, are aiding tumour re-growth and multidrug resistance. Conventional therapies are highly ineffective at eliminating these cells leading to relapse of disease and formation of chemoresistance tumours. Cancer and stem cells targeted therapies that utilizes nanotherapeutics to delivery anti-cancer drugs to specific sites are continuously investigated. This review focuses on recent research using nanomedicine and targeting entities to eliminate cancer cells and cancer stem cells. Current nanotherapeutics in clinical trials along with more recent publications on targeted therapies are addressed.

Keywords: Aptamers; cancer; chemotherapeutics; nanomedicine; nanotherapeutics; stem cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Nanomedicine*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents