title: The application of nanosponges to cancer drug delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The design of new nanocarriers as a strategy for the delivery of anti-cancer drugs offers a potential platform to overcome some limitations of current clinical treatments and to achieve targeted release into tumour tissues. Cyclodextrin-based nanosponges are a novel nanosized delivery system composed of hyper-cross-linked cyclodextrins connected in a three-dimensional network. They form porous nanoparticles with sizes lower than 500 nm, spherical shape and negative surface charge. They show a good capacity for incorporating small molecules, macromolecules, ions and gases within their structure.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review will describe some applications of cyclodextrin-based nanosponges as carriers for anticancer drugs. Recent smart nanosponges, able to be responsive to an external stimulus, will be also discussed. In vitro and in vivo experimental results, obtained with currently used molecules, such as paclitaxel, doxorubicin, 5-fluorourcil and tamoxifen, will be shown.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cyclodextrin-based nanosponges can be considered a challenging technology for the development of innovative formulations, suitable for various administration routes for anti-cancer drugs.
authors.affiliation: Università degli Studi di Torino, Dipartimento di Chimica , via P. Giuria 7, 10125, Torino , Italy francesco.trotta@unito.it.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Trotta
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dianzani
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caldera
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mognetti
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cavalli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003505:Cyclodextrins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003505:Cyclodextrins; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers
keywords: anticancer drugs; cyclodextrins; nanosponges; prolonged release