Ligand decorated biodegradable nanomedicine in the treatment of cancer

Ejaj Ahmad; Asgar Ali; Munazza Tamkeen Fatima; Nimisha; Apurva; Arun Kumar; Mamta P Sumi; Real Sumayya Abdul Sattar; Bhawna Mahajan; Sundeep Singh Saluja

doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105544

Ligand decorated biodegradable nanomedicine in the treatment of cancer

Pharmacol Res. 2021 May:167:105544. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105544. Epub 2021 Mar 13.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Central Molecular Laboratory, Govind Ballabh Pant, Postgraduate Institute of Medica, Education and Research (GIPMER), New Delhi 110002, India.
² Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Science, Patna 810507, India.
³ Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, QU health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
⁴ Department of Biochemistry, Govind Ballabh Pant, Postgraduate Institute of Medical, Education and Research (GIPMER), New Delhi 110002, India.
⁵ Central Molecular Laboratory, Govind Ballabh Pant, Postgraduate Institute of Medica, Education and Research (GIPMER), New Delhi 110002, India; Department of GI Surgery, Govind Ballabh Pant, Postgraduate Institute of Medica, Education and Research (GIPMER), New Delhi 110002, India. Electronic address: sundeepsaluja@yahoo.co.in.

PMID: 33722711
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105544

Abstract

Cancer is one of the major global health problems, responsible for the second-highest number of deaths. The genetic and epigenetic changes in the oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes alter the regulatory pathways leading to its onset and progression. Conventional methods are used in appropriate combinations for the treatment. Surgery effectively treats localized tumors; however, it fails to treat metastatic tumors, leading to a spread in other organs, causing a high recurrence rate and death. Among the different strategies, the nanocarriers-based approach is highly sought for, but its nonspecific delivery can cause a profound side effect on healthy cells. Targeted nanomedicine has the advantage of targeting cancer cells specifically by interacting with the receptors overexpressed on their surface, overcoming its non-specificity to target healthy cells. Nanocarriers prepared from biodegradable and biocompatible materials are decorated with different ligands by encapsulating therapeutic or diagnostic agents or both to target cancer cells overexpressing the receptors. Scientists are now utilizing a theranostic approach to simultaneously evaluate nanocarrier bio-distribution and its effect on the treatment regime. Herein, we have summarized the recent 5-year efforts in the development of the ligands decorated biodegradable nanocarriers, as a targeted nanomedicine approach, which has been highly promising in the treatment of cancer.

Keywords: 5-Fluorouracil (PubMed CID: 3385); Biodegradable nanocarriers; CD44; Cisplatin (PubMed CID: 5702198)); Coumarin-6 (PubMed CID: 100334); Curcumin (PubMed CID: 969516); Docetaxel (PubMed CID:148124); Doxorubicin (PubMed CID: 31703); Gemcitabine (PubMed CID: 60750); Hyaluronic Acid; Paclitaxel (PubMed CID: 36314); Phospholipids; Quercetin (PubMed CID: 5280343); Transferrin; Triptolide (PubMed CID: 107985).

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Animals
Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
Drug Carriers / chemistry*
Drug Delivery Systems* / methods
Humans
Ligands
Nanomedicine / methods
Nanostructures / chemistry*
Neoplasms / drug therapy*

Substances

Antineoplastic Agents
Drug Carriers
Ligands