Surface-modified lipid-based nanocarriers as a pivotal delivery approach for cancer therapy: application and recent advances in targeted cancer treatment‏
Authors: Anwar Doaa M. , Hedeya Heidy Y. , Ghozlan Sama H. , Ewas Basma M. , Khattab Sherine N. 
Published: October 2024

Background

Nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery aims to target specific cells, addressing the challenge that many drugs lack the necessary properties to reach their intended targets effectively. Lipid-based nanocarriers considered as a promising drug delivery due to their biocompatibility and ability to encapsulate various drugs. Surface modifications, including the attachment of polyethylene glycol for stability and the conjugation of targeting ligands (e.g., antibodies, peptides) for specific delivery, play a crucial role in enhancing the interaction of these nanocarriers with biological environments. These modifications improve cellular uptake and targeted delivery, thereby increasing therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects. This review will explore various surface modification techniques and their impact on the performance of lipid nanocarriers in drug delivery.

Main body

Lipid-based nanodelivery platforms have garnered significant interest due to their notable characteristics, including their ability to accommodate high drug loads, reduced toxicity, improved bioavailability, and compatibility with biological systems, stability within the gastrointestinal environment, controlled release capabilities, streamlined scaling up processes, and simplified validation procedures. Targeted lipid-based nanocarriers represent a significant advancement over non-targeted counterparts in cancer therapy. Unlike non-targeted systems, which distribute drugs indiscriminately throughout the body, targeted lipid-based nanocarriers can be engineered with ligands or antibodies to specifically recognize and bind to tumor-associated markers, enabling precise drug delivery to cancer cells. This targeted approach enhances therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects on healthy tissues, thereby offering a promising strategy for improving the outcomes of cancer treatment.

Conclusion

The authors in this review provide an overview of preclinical research on diverse lipid-based nanocarriers, such as liposomes, solid lipid nanocarriers, and lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles. The customization of these carriers using various surface modifiers is discussed, including folic Acid, peptides, polysaccharides, transferrin, and antibodies. Surface-modified nanocarriers offer regulated discharge, improved penetration capability, and precise drug conveyance. This work compiles recent instances of emerging surface-modified lipid-based nanocarrier systems and their applications, sourced from existing literature. Novel approaches to surface engineering of these nanocarriers, aimed at enhancing their specificity and efficacy in targeted drug delivery, were discussed. Key advancements in this field, such as improved targeting mechanisms and significant therapeutic outcomes demonstrated in preclinical studies, were highlighted. Additionally, critical gaps that require attention include long-term stability, biocompatibility, scalable production methods, regulatory challenges, and the necessary steps to transition from bench to bedside.

Graphical abstract