Research progress in co-delivery of gene and chemotherapy drugs with nanocarriers for combination cancer therapy

Abstract

Chemotherapy or gene therapy has many defects when used alone in the treatment of cancers. Co-delivery of chemotherapy drugs and gene therapy could achieve synergistic therapeutic effect and overcome the shortcomings of monotherapy. Nanocarrier can package chemotherapy drugs and deliver genes for combination cancer therapy, which will increase the amount of the drug distribution in target organ and reduce the toxic side effects, thus enhancing the treatment efficacy. Meanwhile, the nanocarrier can protect the stability and integrity of genes, and improve the efficiency of gene transfection to a certain extent, to achieve the purpose of reducing side effects and improving the synergetic effects of the therapy. Co-delivery of gene and chemotherapy drugs with nanocarriers for combination cancer therapy is currently the hotspot of tumor treatment. The types of co-delivery carriers for gene and chemotherapy drugs and loading genetic types are summarized as well. On the basis, future research prospect is discussed. Key words: Nanocarier; Gene; Chemotherapy drug; Cancer therapy