Stimulus-responsive macromolecules and nanoparticles for cancer drug delivery

Nanomedicine (Lond). 2010 Jul;5(5):793-806. doi: 10.2217/nnm.10.50.

Abstract

Nanoparticles and macromolecular carriers have been widely used to increase the efficacy of chemotherapeutics, largely through passive accumulation provided by the enhanced permeability and retention effect. Stimulus-responsive peptide and polymer vehicles can further enhance the efficacy of antitumor therapeutics compared with the administration of free drug by three mechanisms: increasing the overall accumulation within solid tumors; providing a homogeneous spatial distribution in tumor tissues; and increasing the intracellular localization of anticancer therapeutics. This article highlights recent developments in 'smart' - stimulus-responsive - peptide, polymer and lipid drug carriers designed to enhance the localization and efficacy of therapeutic payloads as compared with free drug.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry*
  • Drug Carriers / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Polymers / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Drug Carriers
  • Peptides
  • Polymers