Abstract
Theranostic nanoparticles recently received great interest for uniting unique functions to amplify therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects. Despite the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, which amplifies the accumulation of nanoparticles at the site of a tumor, tumor heterogeneity caused by the dense extracellular matrix of growing cancer cells and the interstitial fluid pressure from abnormal angiogenesis in the tumor inhibit drug/particle penetration, leading to inhomogeneous and limited treatments. Therefore, nanoparticles for penetrated delivery should be designed with different strategies to enhance efficacy. Many strategies were developed to overcome the obstacles in cancer therapy, and they can be divided into three main parts: size changeability, ligand functionalization, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. This review summarizes the results of ameliorated tumor penetration approaches and amplified therapeutic efficacy in nanomedicines. As the references reveal, further study needs to be conducted with comprehensive strategies with broad applicability and potential translational development.
Highlights
Theranostic nanoparticle is a developing field of nano-medicine which combines therapy and diagnostic approach into one single agent in nanoscale by applying one or more than one material
The heterogeneity of tumors is attributed to the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) and interstitial fluid pressure (IFP), because the rapid proliferation of tumor cells leads to reduced vascular density and irregular blood flow
These results indicated that IF7 is an excellent targeting ligand that binds to annexin 1 expressed on the surface of tumor vasculature endothelium, and enhances tumor penetration and therapeutic efficacy [30]
Summary
Theranostic nanoparticle is a developing field of nano-medicine which combines therapy and diagnostic approach into one single agent in nanoscale by applying one or more than one material. Some of the nanoformulations such as Abraxane®, Onivyde®, Marqibo®, and Nanotherm® were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are applied in clinics [1] These nanoparticles transport the therapeutic agents to the tumor via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and passively accumulate at the tumor site. A photopenetrative delivery to the tumor site is triggered by near-infrared (808 nm) irradiation that is able to rupture the structures of the embedded micelles inside the capsule and release them This trigger gives rise to thermal ablation of the tumor and enhances the permeability of small micelles, facilitating drug penetration into the tumor [14]
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