Nanodrugs used in cancer therapy

Abstract

Cancer despite the introduction of new targeted therapy remains for many patients a fatal disease. Nanotechnology in cancer medicine has emerged as a promising approach to defeat cancer. Targeted delivery of anti-cancer drugs by different nanosystems promises enhanced drug efficacy, selectivity, better safety profile and reduced systemic toxicity. The article presents an overview of recent developments in cancer nanomedicine. We focus on approved anti-cancer medical products and on the results of clinical studies, highlighting that liposomal and micellar cytostatics or albumin-based nanoparticles have less side effects and are more efficient than "free" drugs. In addition, we discuss results of in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies with lipid, inorganic and polymer nanosystems loaded by anticancer drugs which according to our meaning are important for development of new nanodrugs. Pharmacokinetic characteristics of nanodrugs are discussed and characterization of major nanotechnology systems used for cancer nanomedicine is presented.

Keywords: cancer; nanodrugs; nanomedicine; nanotechnology; targeted therapy.