Hi Ahmed, superficially there is no difference between cell surface proteins of normal and cancer cells.
In other words cancer cell lines do not express cell surface proteins that are different from normal cells. If it were so then cancer cures would be easy.
My personal opinion is that NP treatment for specific cancers is a dead end. However, NPs can deliver cytotoxic compounds to a localized area that can kill cells in and around the tumor.
Hi,
Targeted drug delivery for cancer therapeutics have shown a sharp rise in the past few years. Although, compared to the successful pre-clinical studies, only 15 passively targeted nanocarier systems have been approved for clinical use and none of the actively targeted nanocariers have previously gone through advanced clinical trials.
Development of more efficient and more predictive preclinical animal models and adoption of GLP and standardization guidelines in academia are necessary to bridge the bench-bed gap. Such standardizations (that should include better size, surface and toxicity characterization) coupled with better understanding of tumor biology and identification of real biomarkers that can predict responders and non-responder in advance will most likely increase the success rate of translation of novel nanocariers into clinical practice. The Nanotechnology Regulatory Science Research Plan and similar programs established by the health authorities should be employed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nanocariers, hence unleashing their real potential.
Source: Progress and challenges towards targeted delivery of cancer therapeutics. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS | (2018) 9:1410.
Active targeting (surface functionalization)
passive targeting
Nanoparticle role is as vehicles that help to deliver treatments (drugs or genes) into cancer cells. There are two NP targeting strategies as followed: 1) Passive targeting (EPR effect) by controlling the particle size, surface charges, and shape 2) Active targeting by attaching specific targeting moieties that highly expressed in cancer cells.
The ultimate goal is to enhance treatment accumulation in the tumor and reduce accumulation in normal organs. Thus, nanoparticles release profile and biodegradability are determining factors for effective NP based targeted delivery. There is no magic bullet to target only cancer cells in the body, however NP based targeted delivery could help to reduce necessary treatment doses and also minimize side effect which is highly beneficial toward patients in the clinic.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Nanostructured Materials
- Nanoparticles