Development of Nanoplatforms for Chemotherapeutic Drug Delivery: From Physicochemical to Preclinical Assessment

Salari Mattiuzzi^*
*Correspondence: Salari Mattiuzzi, Department of Physiology School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 A, Greece, Email:

Introduction

Chemotherapy has been a foundational treatment for cancer, but its effectiveness is often hampered by significant challenges, including nonspecific distribution, poor solubility, systemic toxicity, and the development of drug resistance. Conventional chemotherapeutic agents, while potent, affect both cancerous and healthy cells, leading to severe side effects and diminishing the therapeutic outcome. Furthermore, the low solubility of many anticancer drugs, such as paclitaxel and docetaxel, limits their bioavailability and, consequently, their effectiveness. Nanotechnology offers a promising solution to these issues by enabling the development of nanoplatforms for targeted drug delivery, which can enhance the solubility and bioavailability of chemotherapeutic agents and provide controlled, site-specific release, reducing the off-target effects and improving the therapeutic index. These nanoplatforms are versatile and include various nanocarriers, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, and inorganic nanoparticles. Each of these platforms has distinct physicochemical properties, such as size, shape, surface charge, and functionalization, which play crucial roles in their efficiency.

Description

Inorganic nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, and magnetic nanoparticles, offer unique advantages due to their optical, magnetic, and structural properties. These platforms can be engineered for multimodal imaging and therapy, allowing for precise tumor targeting. Additionally, they are responsive to external stimuli such as light or magnetic fields, which can be used to trigger drug release at the tumor site. However, concerns regarding their biodegradability and potential toxicity must be thoroughly evaluated before clinical application. Gold nanoparticles, for example, have been explored for photothermal therapy in combination with drug delivery, yielding synergistic anticancer effects in preclinical models. The physicochemical properties of nanoplatforms, such as size, surface charge, drug loading, and release kinetics, are critical to their efficacy. Size and morphology can be determined through dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, which provide insight into the particle size distribution and shape. Zeta potential measurements help assess the surface charge of nanoparticles, influencing their stability, cellular uptake, and biodistribution. Additionally, drug loading efficiency and in vitro drug release studies are essential for optimizing the therapeutic performance of the nanoplatforms. The surface functionalization of nanoplatforms with targeting ligands, such as antibodies or peptides, ensures that the drug is delivered specifically to the cancer cells, reducing off-target effects. Biomolecule stability tests evaluate the integrity of surface modifications during storage and circulation, which are crucial for maintaining drug delivery efficiency [1,2]. Preclinical assessment of nanoplatforms involves a series of in vitro and in vivo studies to evaluate their safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic profiles. In vitro studies, such as cellular uptake assays and cytotoxicity tests, provide essential information on the internalization efficiency of nanoparticles by cancer cells and their potential therapeutic efficacy. In vivo studies are critical for assessing the pharmacokinetics of the nanoplatforms, including their circulation time, bioavailability, and organ distribution. Imaging techniques, such as fluorescence or PET/CT, are used to track the accumulation of nanoparticles in tumors and other tissues, providing insight into their biodistribution. Furthermore, therapeutic efficacy is evaluated in animal models to determine the tumor growth inhibition and survival benefits associated with nanoplatform-based drug delivery. Toxicological studies are essential to ensure the biocompatibility and safety of the nanoplatforms, including monitoring for any adverse immune responses or organ toxicity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, nanoplatforms represent a promising and transformative approach to chemotherapy, addressing many of the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems. Their ability to improve drug solubility, target cancer cells, and provide controlled release mechanisms has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. However, successful translation into the clinic requires overcoming significant challenges related to manufacturing, regulatory approval, immunogenicity, and cost. With continued research and innovation in nanotechnology, the future of cancer treatment looks promising, with nanoplatforms playing an integral role in improving patient outcomes and advancing personalized medicine. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and further technological advancements, nanoplatforms have the potential to redefine cancer therapy and improve the quality of life for patients worldwide.

References

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