Stimulus-responsive macromolecules and nanoparticles for cancer drug delivery.
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.
MacEwan
Sarah R
SR
Department of Biomedical Engineering, PO Box 90281, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
Callahan
Daniel J
DJ
Chilkoti
Ashutosh
A
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D010455:Peptides; D011108:Polymers