Targeted Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapeutics

Targeted nanomedicine harnesses engineered nanoparticles to deliver therapeutic agents selectively to tumour sites, thereby maximising anticancer efficacy while minimising systemic toxicity. By exploiting pathological features such as leaky tumour vasculature and overexpressed cell-surface receptors, nanoscale carriers—ranging from polymeric microspheres and liposomes to lipid-based nanoparticles and conjugated drug–peptide complexes—can accumulate preferentially in malignant tissue. Surface functionalisation with targeting ligands, stimuli-responsive components and co-delivery of multiple modalities allows refinement of drug release kinetics, intracellular uptake and combination therapies (for example chemo- and phototherapy). This approach addresses heterogeneity in tumour biology and resistance mechanisms, offering the promise of personalised interventions that improve patient outcomes across diverse cancer types.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Innovative polymer–peptide conjugates have been developed for triple-negative breast cancer, employing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polyethylene glycol (PLGA-PEG) microspheres loaded with paclitaxel and a bacterially synthesised prodigiosin analogue. These microspheres are surface-functionalised with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) ligands to achieve receptor-mediated targeting. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate sustained drug release, enhanced tumour accumulation, significant reduction in tumour burden and no observable systemic toxicity, collectively extending survival in xenograft models. Complementary work focuses on direct chemical conjugation of LHRH peptides to cytotoxic agents (prodigiosin or paclitaxel). Upon intravenous administration, these low-molecular-weight bioconjugates specifically bind overexpressed LHRH receptors on cancer cells, resulting in rapid tumour shrinkage, receptor-dependent uptake and minimal off-target effects, thereby validating ligand-conjugation as a viable route to precision nanotherapeutics.

Targeted Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapeutics publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in targeted nanomedicine for cancer therapeutics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Nanocarrier: A nanoparticle-based vehicle designed to transport therapeutic agents in the body and release them at target sites.

Enhanced permeability and retention effect (EPR effect): Passive accumulation of nanoparticles in tumour tissue due to leaky vasculature and poor lymphatic drainage.

Ligand-directed targeting: Surface functionalisation of nanoparticles with molecules that bind selectively to receptors overexpressed on cancer cells.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT): Treatment modality using a photosensitiser activated by light to generate reactive oxygen species that induce cell death.

siRNA: Short interfering RNA strands that can silence specific gene expression by promoting degradation of target mRNA.

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) peptide: A hormone fragment used as a targeting ligand due to selective overexpression of its receptor on many tumour cells.

References

1. Personalized Versus Precision Nanomedicine for Treatment of Ovarian Cancer.. Small (2024).
2. Synergistic Effects of Chemotherapy and Phototherapy on Ovarian Cancer Using Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor-Mediated Liposomes Co-Loaded with SN38 and IR820. Pharmaceutics (2024).
3. Drug-encapsulated blend of PLGA-PEG microspheres: in vitro and in vivo study of the effects of localized/targeted drug delivery on the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Scientific Reports (2020).
4. LHRH-Conjugated Drugs as Targeted Therapeutic Agents for the Specific Targeting and Localized Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Scientific Reports (2020).
5. Multifunctional Lipid-Based Nanoparticles for Codelivery of Anticancer Drugs and siRNA for Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Different Level of Resistance and EGFR Mutations. Pharmaceutics (2021).