Realizing active targeting in cancer nanomedicine with ultrasmall nanoparticles

• André F. Lima,
• Giselle Z. Justo and
• Alioscka A. Sousa

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1208–1226, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.98

• reliance on passive targeting, the more complex designs of targeted NPs, the potential for attached functional ligands to increase phagocytic capture and shorten blood circulation time, and the formation of a protein corona that may block the targeting ligand on the particle surface [15][16][17]. Over the

• potential for tumor accumulation though passive targeting [76]. Fortunately, strategies to slow down renal clearance and extend the blood half-life of usNPs for more efficient tumor uptake are feasible, including fine-tuning hydrodynamic diameter (HD) through surface chemistry [77], controlling core density

• targeting can also promote usNP transport to the cell interior, potentially leading to more effective drug delivery and chemotherapy. It must be noted that the success of these strategies relies on efficient passive targeting in the first place [83][84]. Nevertheless, cumulative evidence suggests that

Synthesis, characterization and anticancer effect of doxorubicin-loaded dual stimuli-responsive smart nanopolymers

• Ömür Acet,
• Pavel Kirsanov,
• Burcu Önal Acet,
• Inessa Halets-Bui,
• Dzmitry Shcharbin,
• Şeyda Ceylan Cömert and
• Mehmet Odabaşı

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1189–1196, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.96

• physiological functions. They can effectively transport therapeutic agents to targeted cells or specific intracellular regions through passive targeting or ligand-based strategies [9][10][11]. The use of certain polymers could potentially enable sustained drug levels for controlled release and extended

Recent updates in applications of nanomedicine for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis

• Damai Ria Setyawati,
• Fransiska Christydira Sekaringtyas,
• Riyona Desvy Pratiwi,
• A’liyatur Rosyidah,
• Rohimmahtunnissa Azhar,
• Nunik Gustini,
• Gita Syahputra,
• Idah Rosidah,
• Etik Mardliyati,
• Tarwadi and
• Sjaikhurrizal El Muttaqien

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1105–1116, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.89

• targeting; hepatic fibrosis; nanocarriers; nanomedicine; passive targeting; Introduction Over the last three decades, we have witnessed tremendous progress in the field of nanomedicine through the preparation of a vast number of nanoscale (bio)materials. Nanomedicine itself is defined as the biomedical

• first FDA-approved nanodrug (1995) achieving improved therapeutic efficacy through passive targeting via the EPR effect [9]. The clinical applications of nanomedicine then shifted to other diseases, legitimating nanomedicine as a strategy to increase the therapeutic activity. This is supported by the

• impermeable basal lamina allow for rapid accumulation of NPs in the liver through passive targeting [24]. Complementing certain anatomic or pathophysiological features of the target organ, such passive accumulation also relies on nanoparticle properties including size, shape, surface charge, and

Radiofrequency enhances drug release from responsive nanoflowers for hepatocellular carcinoma therapy

• Yanyan Wen,
• Ningning Song,
• Yueyou Peng,
• Weiwei Wu,
• Qixiong Lin,
• Minjie Cui,
• Rongrong Li,
• Qiufeng Yu,
• Sixue Wu,
• Yongkang Liang,
• Wei Tian and
• Yanfeng Meng

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 569–579, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.49

• can alleviate tumor hypoxia and regulate TME to improve antitumor efficiency. In addition, PEG-modified NFs may significantly enhance passive targeting and retention via the EPR effect, thus enhancing their efficacy in cancer treatment [30]. The Fe3O4 NCs, Fe3O4 NCs-CUR layer nanoparticles (CUR-Fe NPs

Cholesterol nanoarchaeosomes for alendronate targeted delivery as an anti-endothelial dysfunction agent

• Horacio Emanuel Jerez,
• Yamila Roxana Simioni,
• Kajal Ghosal,
• Maria Jose Morilla and
• Eder Lilia Romero

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 517–534, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.46

• variable degrees of increased permeability, offering an anatomic-pathological context that favors extravasation and, therefore, the passive targeting of nanoparticulate material towards cells of the diseased vasculature [20]. Moreover, in recent years, the development of targeted nanomedicines for

Nanomedicines against Chagas disease: a critical review

• Maria Jose Morilla,
• Kajal Ghosal and
• Eder Lilia Romero

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 333–349, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.30

• daunorubicin) launched in 2017. These liposomes act mainly by passive targeting mechanisms upon intravenous administration. Parenteral liposomes employing the DepoFoam technology are used in clinical analgesia, that is, DepoDurTM and Expare®, approved in 2004 and 2018, respectively. The above summary shows

Vinorelbine-loaded multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles as anticancer drug delivery systems: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro release study

• Zeynep Özcan and
• Afife Binnaz Hazar Yoruç

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 256–269, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.24

• passive targeting and offer multimodal tumor therapy. In recent years, the use of nanotechnology-based cancer drugs has emerged as a promising alternative treatment approach. Utilizing various nanostructures as specific vehicles for drug delivery enhances efficacy and pharmacokinetic properties of

• of passive targeting in magnetic fields for photothermal cancer therapy, with PDA holds great promise for future applications. Therefore, surface modification with PDA is recognized as a favorable alternative for enhancing the biocompatibility of non-biodegradable substances. A study focused on

• of the created nanoplatform to tumor tissues and enhance biocompatibility. Similar studies have described conjugated PEG–iron oxide nanoparticles as multifunctional nanotherapeutic agents for passive targeting of tumors [49][50]. Additionally, in the literature, it has been demonstrated that

Elasticity, an often-overseen parameter in the development of nanoscale drug delivery systems

• Agnes-Valencia Weiss and
• Marc Schneider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1149–1156, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.95

• overruling material properties. The tissue distribution can be important regarding active and passive targeting of different tissues, such as tumors or inflammation sites. It also gives an idea about possible side effects as high nanoparticle concentration usually correlates with high drug concentration

Antibody-conjugated nanoparticles for target-specific drug delivery of chemotherapeutics

• Mamta Kumari,
• Amitabha Acharya and
• Praveen Thaggikuppe Krishnamurthy

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 912–926, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.75

• circulation time and serum stability. Also, they enable drug release in a sustained and controlled manner [4]. Targeted delivery of drug-loaded NPs can be achieved either through passive targeting, where drugs accumulate in tumor tissues via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, or through

• the receptor-mediated uptake and internalization of NPs in A549 cells. They clearly indicated a significant disparity between in vivo and in vitro outcomes of NP targeting efficacy in the presence of a protein corona [80]. Su et al. reported that protein corona formation alters the active and passive

• targeting of cyclic RGD peptides attached on PEGylated NPs. The cellular uptake of NPs with bound proteins was reduced to 26% compared with NPs without bound proteins (ca. 76%). The in vivo results also demonstrated that the targeting efficacy of cyclic RGD peptide-functionalized PEGylated NPs was much

Overview of mechanism and consequences of endothelial leakiness caused by metal and polymeric nanoparticles

• Magdalena Lasak and
• Karol Ciepluch

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 329–338, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.28

• aspect is the EPR effect, which is a phenomenon characteristic of mature solid tumors. The vascular permeability factors (e.g., VEGF) produced in higher concentrations by cancer cells stimulate the formation of an abnormal vascular structure, which can be used in the passive targeting of nanodrugs

Nanotechnology – a robust tool for fighting the challenges of drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer

• Filip Gorachinov,
• Fatima Mraiche,
• Diala Alhaj Moustafa,
• Ola Hishari,
• Yomna Ismail,
• Jensa Joseph,
• Maja Simonoska Crcarevska,
• Marija Glavas Dodov,
• Nikola Geskovski and
• Katerina Goracinova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 240–261, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.23

• of molecularly targeted drugs, chemotherapeutic agents, and siRNA. Historically, the most promising first-generation, passive targeting, stealth polymer NPs for anticancer drug/gene delivery are hydrophobic core–hydrophilic shell NPs including (i) self-assembled kinetically stable amphiphilic block

Use of nanosystems to improve the anticancer effects of curcumin

• Andrea M. Araya-Sibaja,
• Norma J. Salazar-López,
• Krissia Wilhelm Romero,
• José R. Vega-Baudrit,
• J. Abraham Domínguez-Avila,
• Carlos A. Velázquez Contreras,
• Ramón E. Robles-Zepeda,
• Mirtha Navarro-Hoyos and
• Gustavo A. González-Aguilar

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 1047–1062, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.78

• coefficient. Another study reported a co-loaded CUR–lactoferrin NLC that was prepared as a potential delivery system to cancerous cells through both active and passive targeting [70]. For example, the lactoferrin vector was used for active targeting due to its ability to target tumor cells (mediated by

• receptors), while the enhanced effect of permeation and retention was considered for passive targeting. Results showed improved in vitro cellular uptake, targeting capability, and cytotoxicity against the human colon cancer cell line HCT116, which was related to early apoptosis after 24 h of incubation. On

Comprehensive review on ultrasound-responsive theranostic nanomaterials: mechanisms, structures and medical applications

• Sepand Tehrani Fateh,
• Lida Moradi,
• Elmira Kohan,
• Michael R. Hamblin and
• Amin Shiralizadeh Dezfuli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 808–862, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.64

The impact of molecular tumor profiling on the design strategies for targeting myeloid leukemia and EGFR/CD44-positive solid tumors

• Nikola Geskovski,
• Nadica Matevska-Geshkovska,
• Simona Dimchevska Sazdovska,
• Marija Glavas Dodov,
• Kristina Mladenovska and
• Katerina Goracinova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 375–401, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.31

• introduced the possibility of employing similar strategies for passive targeting as for solid tumors, but these tumors also have much in common regarding the expression of specific molecules as viable targets for therapy and/or homing of NDDSs. For example, overexpression of the EGFR gene or protein kinase

Rational design of block copolymer self-assemblies in photodynamic therapy

• Maxime Demazeau,
• Laure Gibot,
• Anne-Françoise Mingotaud,
• Patricia Vicendo,
• Clément Roux and
• Barbara Lonetti

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 180–212, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.15

• , exploiting only the size of the therapeutics, and is usually referred to as passive targeting. At that time, researchers got on the lead to develop intravenous nanocarriers of appropriate size (typically 20–200 nm) to benefit from this EPR effect without being cleared too rapidly through kidneys [4]. This

Targeting strategies for improving the efficacy of nanomedicine in oncology

• Gonzalo Villaverde and
• Alejandro Baeza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 168–181, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.16

• organelles, or tissues and cells, as well as the employ of hierarchical targeting will also be described to provide an insight about the great potency of targeted nanomedicines in antitumoral therapy. Review Passive targeting based on the EPR effect As mentioned above, the use of nanoparticles in oncology

Methionine-mediated synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles and functionalization with gold quantum dots for theranostic applications

• Arūnas Jagminas,
• Agnė Mikalauskaitė,
• Vitalijus Karabanovas and
• Jūrate Vaičiūnienė

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1734–1741, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.174

• have a dramatic effect on the formation of the surface protein corona in the bloodstream that affects CoFe2O4@Met–Au NPs passive targeting and uptake into tumor cells. The elaborated functionalization of magnetic NPs with gold QDs represents a promising multi-task platform for linking magnetic NPs with

Cationic PEGylated polycaprolactone nanoparticles carrying post-operation docetaxel for glioma treatment

• Cem Varan and
• Erem Bilensoy

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1446–1456, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.144

• that active targeted PEG/PCL nanoparticles enhanced tumor penetration [22]. Besides that, Ungaro et al. obtained docetaxel-loaded core–shell PEO/PCL nanoassemblies for passive targeting of the anticancer drug to cancer cells. Their results showed that docetaxel-loaded PEO/PCL nanoparticles were more

Carbon nanomaterials sensitize prostate cancer cells to docetaxel and mitomycin C via induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation

• Kati Erdmann,
• Jessica Ringel,
• Silke Hampel,
• Manfred P. Wirth and
• Susanne Fuessel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1307–1317, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.132

• complex drug delivery systems at the tumor site would minimize systemic resorption and deleterious effects to healthy tissues. Carbon nanomaterials such as CNFs and CNTs represent a much investigated option for such biomedical applications. In addition to facilitate a passive targeting, various studies

PLGA nanoparticles as a platform for vitamin D-based cancer therapy

• Maria J. Ramalho,
• Joana A. Loureiro,
• Bárbara Gomes,
• Manuela F. Frasco,
• Manuel A. N. Coelho and
• M. Carmo Pereira

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 1306–1318, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.135

• internalized by targeted cells, increasing intracellular drug delivery [20], allowing a sustained and controlled drug release over time [19]. Moreover, PLGA NPs could offer selective drug delivery to tumor tissue either by passive targeting with the enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR) [18] or by