Novel strategies to improve the anticancer action of 5-fluorouracil by using drug delivery systems

Abstract

Because of the fundamental importance of new therapeutic routes for cancer treatment, a number of systems based on colloidal particles as vehicles for the delivery of the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil have been devised. The target is always to provide the proper dose of the antitumor agent only at the desired locus of action, thus reducing the unwanted side effects. In this review, the main strategies and the more significant results in the development of 5-fluorouracil carriers for cancer treatment are discussed.

Figure 1

TEM photographs of blank Suc-Chi NPs (a), and tumor-growth-inhibitory effects of 5-FU-loaded N-succinylchitosan nanoparticles against Sarcoma 180 solid tumor (b). Data represent mean ± S.D., n = 6. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [14]. Copyright Pharmaceutical Press (2006).

Figure 2

SEM images of microspheres prepared with Eudragit^® P-4135F (a) and Eudragit^® RS100 (b) using an oil/oil emulsification process. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [21]. Copyright Elsevier (2005).

Figure 3

Transmission electron microscopy picture of carbonyl iron/poly(butylcyanoacrylate) (core/shell) nanoparticles (a) and in vitro 5-FU release (%) as a function of the incubation time (b). Reprinted with permission from Ref. [96]. Copyright Elsevier (2008).