Different Targeting Ligands-Mediated Drug Delivery Systems for Tumor Therapy

Abstract

Traditional tumor treatments have the drawback of harming both tumor cells and normal cells, leading to significant systemic toxic side effects. As a result, there is a pressing need for targeted drug delivery methods that can specifically target cells or tissues. Currently, researchers have made significant progress in developing targeted drug delivery systems for tumor therapy using various targeting ligands. This review aims to summarize recent advancements in targeted drug delivery systems for tumor therapy, focusing on different targeting ligands such as folic acid, carbohydrates, peptides, aptamers, and antibodies. The review also discusses the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of these targeted drug delivery systems.

Keywords: antibodies; aptamers; carbohydrates; folic acid; peptides; targeted drug delivery system; targeting ligand; tumor therapy.

Figure 1

Different targeting ligands-mediated drug delivery systems.

Figure 2

Folate-mediated targeted drug delivery system. (A) Compositional process of folate-drug conjugates. (B) Compositional process of folate-conjugated nanoparticles.

Figure 3

Carbohydrate-mediated targeted drug delivery system. It means that carbohydrates are categorized into three types: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides, and all three of these different structural carbohydrates can be used to form carbohydrate-drug conjugates with small molecule drugs or carbohydrate conjugated nanoparticles with nanoparticles.

Figure 4

Aptamer-mediated targeted drug delivery system. (A) Targeting process of aptamer-drug conjugates. (B) Targeting process of aptamer conjugated nanoparticles.

Figure 5

Antibody-mediated targeted drug delivery system. The system is divided into two main strategies: (A) Antibody-drug conjugates. (B) Antibody-conjugated nanoparticles.