Page 15 - TD-2-3

Tumor Discovery Targeted drug delivery systems for the treatment of tumors

Table 3. Polymeric micelles and their antitumor importance
Components Purpose Outcomes References
Thioridazine (THZ), Co-delivery of THZ-DOX Nanodimensional THZ- and DOX-embedded polymeric [54]
doxorubicin (DOX), urea- using polymeric micelles micelles (100 nm) exhibited synergistic action via inhibiting
functionalized diblock for the management of cancer stem cells. Developed micelles were efficient in lowering
copolymers of polycarbonate breast cancer the side population of sorted cancer stem cells.
and polyethylene glycol
Curcumin,N- Nanocurcumin polymeric Developed nanocurcumin micelles (50 nm) were efficient against [55]
isopropylacryamide, N-vinyl- micelles for cancer pancreatic cancer. Readily dispersed nanocurcumin exposed
2-pyrrolidone, polyethylene therapy to advanced physicochemical parameters. Moreover, induced
glycol monoacrylate cellular apoptosis, inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B, and
associated cytokines/interleukins stepped toward remarked
control of tumor growth.
Amphiphilic block polymer Paclitaxel-embedded Formulated micelles (PTX-M) showed two-fold higher cellular [56]
N-octyl-O-sulphate chitosan polymeric micelles for uptake and lesser paclitaxel efflux compared to bare paclitaxel.
and paclitaxel treatment of multidrug- The outcomes suggested efficient activity (75%) both for
resistant cancer hepatocellular carcinoma and multidrug-resistant HepG2 cells.
Phenformin, diblock polymers Phenformin polymeric Phenformin, an antidiabetic drug, has the efficiency to kill [57]
(PEG-urea functionalized micelles for prevention of cancerous cells. Phenformin-diblock polymers composed
polycarbonate and acid metastasis associated with of micelles (102 nm) were stable and compatible with non-
functionalized polycarbonate) lung carcinoma cancerous cells. More than 90% of the drug was delivered for
96 h, predicted its prolonged efficacy. In vivo, results on H460
human lung carcinoma exhibited superior antitumor action in
affected tissues.
Pluronic P123/F127 and Ultrasound triggered Developed curcumin-loaded pluronic P123/F127 polymeric [58]
curcumin pluronic-curcumin micelles can be readily permeabilized and well uptaken through
micelles for improved cellular mode on ultrasound stimulation. After intratumoral
chemotherapy injection, polymeric micelles exhibited prolonged circulation
time and exhibited spatial-temporal delivery of curcumin.

The periphery of these nanocarriers supports the (PPI), polyethylene glycol (PEG), citric acid-polyethylene
conjugation of targeting ligands, imaging agents, and glycol-citric acid (CPEGC), and carbohydrate-based
bioactive substances, while the inner core facilitates the dendrimer (glycodendrimer), are extensively utilized
incorporation of inorganic metal nanoparticles, commonly in chemotherapy [60,61] . Among these, clinically proven
[58]
employed in a myriad of biomedical applications . PAMAM dendrimers, which consist of an ethylenediamine
Dendrimers (measuring 10–20 nm in size) easily extravasate core and methyl acrylate-linked ethylenediamine
and selectively accumulate within tumor cells through the branches, have been extensively explored for antitumor
EPR effect, a form of passive targeting. This accumulation drug delivery. They are valued for their hydrophilicity,
results in a high concentration of actives within the tumor. biocompatibility, and non-immunogenicity. The
Moreover, these nanocarriers bind to high molecular weight permeation efficacy of PAMAM dendrimers depends on
plasma proteins, facilitating prolonged circulation time their generation, which determines their morphology .
[62]
and reduced renal clearance. However, passive targeting Higher-generation dendrimers are spherical and compact,
encounters certain anatomical and pathophysiological offering a larger surface area than their smaller-generation
barriers that can impede drug delivery to the target site counterparts . However, the presence of terminal
[63]
and potentially lead to multidrug-resistant tumors. In cationic groups in PAMAM dendrimers may interact with
contrast, active targeting facilitates selective conjugation negatively charged healthy cells, causing the disruption
between overexpressed receptors and ligand-functionalized of cell membranes and leading to cell death. Therefore,
dendrimers. The peripheral structure of dendrimers surface modification with shielding moieties is employed
is enriched with reactive functional moieties, enabling to control cytotoxicity and enhance cellular uptake within
successful binding to various ligands, including antibodies, tumor-specific cells. Table 4 summarizes a selection of
genes, amino acids, biotin, aptamers, and folic acid. This dendrimers and their applications in antitumor therapies.
characteristic allows for efficient targeting of tumor tissues . Liu et al. designed phospholipid-decorated PAMAM
[59]
Several classes of dendrimers, such as polyamidoamine (PL-dendriplexes) to encapsulate siMDR1 for mitigating
(PAMAM), poly-L-lysine (PLL), polypropyleneimine multidrug resistance in breast cancer cells (MCF-7/

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2023) 9 https://doi.org/10.36922/td.1356