Abstract
Biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) containing polymers, lipids (liposomes and micelles), dendrimers, ferritin, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, ceramic, magnetic materials, and gold/silver have contributed to imaging diagnosis and targeted cancer therapy. However, only some NP drugs, including Doxil® (liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin), Abraxane® (albumin-bound paclitaxel), and Oncaspar® (PEG-Asparaginase), have emerged on the pharmaceutical market to date. By contrast, several phytochemicals that were found to be effective in cultured cancer cells and animal studies have not shown significant efficacy in humans due to poor bioavailability and absorption, rapid clearance, resistance, and toxicity. Research to overcome these drawbacks by using phytochemical NPs remains in the early stages of clinical translation. Thus, in the current review, we discuss the progress in nanotechnology, research milestones, the molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals encapsulated in NPs, and clinical implications. Several challenges that must be overcome and future research perspectives are also described.
Highlights
NPs that include a hydrophilic central core, a target-oriented biocompatible outer layer, and a middle hydrophobic core containing the target site can improve drug/gene delivery in cancer cells and tissues for ligand- or antigen-targeted therapy [6]. Though anticancer nanodrugs such as Doxil and Abraxane are on the pharmaceutical market, several nano-phytochemicals, defined as nanomaterials and phytochemicals, including curcumin [7] and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) [8], are attractive cancer therapy candidates, as experimental data suggest that they result in improved drug delivery and have low toxicity in several cancers
As in recent nano-research that found that several anticancer phytochemical-encapsulated NPs were more effective compared to NP controls [139], Gota et al [194] reported the potency of solid lipid curcumin NPs: 22.43 ng/mL curcumin was detected at a dose of 650 mg, while it was not detected in the plasma of osteosarcoma patients
The advanced progress in nanobiotechnology and nanomaterial science has contributed to imaging diagnosis and targeted cancer therapy by providing efficient drug delivery systems
Summary
Cancer progression is the result of tumor development and subsequent metastasis, with features including increases in the growth rate and invasiveness of tumor cells [1]. NPs that include a hydrophilic central core, a target-oriented biocompatible outer layer, and a middle hydrophobic core containing the target site can improve drug/gene delivery in cancer cells and tissues for ligand- or antigen-targeted therapy [6]. Though anticancer nanodrugs such as Doxil and Abraxane are on the pharmaceutical market, several nano-phytochemicals, defined as nanomaterials and phytochemicals, including curcumin [7] and EGCG [8], are attractive cancer therapy candidates, as experimental data suggest that they result in improved drug delivery and have low toxicity in several cancers.
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