Targeted Drug Delivery for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Pharm Res. 2022 Mar;39(3):441-461. doi: 10.1007/s11095-022-03214-0. Epub 2022 Mar 7.

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) still represents an incurable disorder that may progress to other more aggressive types of cancer despite the available therapy and the development that has been reached in the immunophenotypic and mutational status characterization of CLL. Hence, innovative therapeutics strategies are required together with the advancement in chemo-immunotherapy and targeted treatments. Parallelly, more focus should be put on the drug delivery process to improve the effectiveness/toxicity ratio of both conventional and new drugs and reduce the risk of drug resistance. In the present review, different types of nanocarriers that can be harnessed against CLL, their features, their capabilities in targeting CLL cells, and the latest relevant data are discussed. We provide an integral description of each nanocarrier, including lipidic, polymeric, and inorganic carriers, aiming to offer a constructive resource for the rational design of potential nanomedicines to advance the fight against CLL.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Hematological diseases; Nanomedicines; Targeted drug delivery.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell* / drug therapy
  • Nanomedicine