Albumin-binding prodrugs use in treating cancer

Abstract

Throughout the past few decades, the use of targeted delivery methods for cancer therapies has dramatically increased. Prodrug, a type of drug that can apply the targeting therapy, is defined as chemicals that undergo chemical transformations after enters the patients body. They will be activated and release the parent drug after reached the targeted site. Both passively and actively targeted therapies are explored. The albumin-binding prodrug, a model of prodrug applying passively targeted therapy, this paper introduces the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect to target the tumor site. Besides, since the human serum albumin is an endogenous substance originated from human body, its nanoparticles is able to carry the anticancer drugs to elongate the circulatory half-lives of drugs since it will not be rejected by the immune system. However, the activated compound's systemic toxicity and the dearth of information regarding the biodistribution of prodrugs are two possible disadvantages. Moreover, some exogenous albumin formulations are prohibited from participating in clinical trials because of their very poor delivery efficiency. In conclusion, the albumin-binding prodrug is a cancer treating therapy that has great promise and great capability despite the potential risks.