Targeted Polymeric Nanoparticles as a Strategy for the Treatment of Glioblastoma: A Review.

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and aggressive malignant tumor that affects the central nervous system, with high mortality and low survival. Glioblastoma multiforme treatment includes resection tumor surgery, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy adjuvants. However, the drugs used in chemotherapy present some limitations, such as the difficulty of crossing the bloodbrain barrier and resisting the cellular mechanisms of drug efflux. The use of polymeric nanoparticles has proven to be an effective alternative to circumvent such limitations, as it allows the exploration of a range of polymeric structures that can be modified in order to control the biodistribution and cytotoxic effect of the drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles are nanometric in size and allow the incorporation of targeting ligands on their surface, favoring the transposition of the blood-brain barrier and the delivery of the drug to specific sites, increasing the selectivity and safety of chemotherapy. The present review has described the characteristics of chitosan, poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(lactic-coglycolic acid), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ß-amino ester), and poly(ε-caprolactone), which are some of the most commonly used polymers in the manufacture of nanoparticles for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. In addition, some of the main targeting ligands used in these nanosystems are presented, such as transferrin, chlorotoxin, albumin, epidermal growth factor, and epidermal growth factor receptor blockers, explored for the active targeting of antiglioblastoma agents.

The role of hyaluronic acid in the design and functionalization of nanoparticles for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Despite advances in new approaches for colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy, intravenous chemotherapy remains one of the main treatment options; however, it has limitations associated with off-target toxicity, tumor cell resistance due to molecular complexity and CRC heterogeneity, which lead to tumor recurrence and metastasis. In oncology, nanoparticle-based strategies have been designed to avoid systemic toxicity and increase drug accumulation at tumor sites. Hyaluronic acid (HA) has obtained significant attention thanks to its ability to target nanoparticles (NPs) to CRC cells through binding to cluster-determinant-44 (CD44) and hyaluronan-mediated motility (RHAMM) receptors, along with its efficient biological properties of mucoadhesion. This review proposes to discuss the state of the art in HA-based nanoparticulate systems intended for localized treatment of CRC, highlighting the importance of the mucoadhesion and active targeting provided by this polymer. In addition, an overview of CRC will be provided, emphasizing the importance of CD44 and RHAMM receptors in this type of cancer and the current challenges related to this disease, and important concepts about the physicochemical and biological properties of HA will also be addressed. Finally, this review aims to contribute to the advancement of accuracy treatment of CRC by the design of new platforms based on by HA.

Nanocarrier functionalization strategies for targeted drug delivery in skin cancer therapy: current progress and upcoming challenges.

INTRODUCTION: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer worldwide, with increasing incidence rates in recent years. Although conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been used for its treatment, these therapies have several limitations such as lack of selectivity and significant side effects. Targeted nanocarriers have emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of skin cancer. AREAS COVERED: This review article provides an overview of targeted nanocarriers for skin cancer treatment. It covers the various types of targeted nanocarriers, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, and inorganic nanoparticles. EXPERT OPINION: There are still several challenges that need to be addressed before the clinical translation of targeted nanoparticles, such as optimization of their properties, development of reliable and robust characterization methods, and evaluation of their safety and efficacy in clinical trials. Another key aspect for the advancement of these studies is the need to improve regulatory aspects related to the toxicity and regulation of nanomedicines targeting skin cancer. Overall, targeted nanocarriers hold great potential for the development of safe and effective treatments for skin cancer, which can contribute to a better prognosis and overall patients' life quality.