Introduction: Lymphatic vessels are the preferential route of most solid tumors to spread their metastases in the body. Therefore, the individuation and elimination of cancer cells within the lymphatic system (LS) is an important goal. Nanoparticles (NPs), thanks to their small size, represent suitable carriers for imaging and for chemotherapeutic transport to the LS. An update of different nanoparticle delivery systems developed for the detection and treatment of lymphatic metastases has been made, classified from the point of view of the administration routes used.
Areas covered: The role of the LS in tumor progression and importance of treatment and imaging strategies of lymphatic metastases; classification, with regard the administration route, of nanoparticle delivery system used to target lymph node (LN) metastases.
Expert opinion: The NPs are a promising approach for the treatment and detection of lymphatic metastases. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate their efficacy in human clinical application.
Keywords: Lymph node metastases; administration routes; cancer imaging; nanoparticles; tumor treatment.