A Reflection on the Mechanism of the Role of Nanoparticles in Increasing the Efficacy of Anti-tumour Properties of Docetaxel

AbstractPurpose of ReviewDocetaxel is an important cancer therapeutic drug that targets microtubules. As a taxane, it has high cytotoxic potential and causes cell death by inducing polymerization of tubulin monomers and inhibiting depolymerization or inducing apoptosis by stimulating the phosphorylation B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). As a hydrophobic drug, the clinical application of docetaxel is limited. The nanoparticle-based platforms as drug carriers have opened up the vast potential of docetaxel. The purpose of the review is to introduce the developments in nano-drug carriers in meeting the needs to target individual tumour cellular components.Recent FindingsThe progress from individual nanoparticles like liposome or cubosome to hybrid nanoparticles capable of carrying multiple drugs, targeting them to the tumour site, and releasing the active molecules in a sustained and prolonged manner has been addressed by researchers in recent times. Newer developments of active targeting systems such as through antibody conjugation to the nanoparticle are observed in this area.SummaryFrom the knowledge that is currently available in public domain, it can be foreseen that extensive in vivo assessment of the formulations that have shown good prospects is required. The in vivo assessment needs to be based on in vitro models coupled with extensive toxicity studies. This is required to take a larger percentage of the methodologies available in the literature to preclinical and clinical tria...
Source: Current Pathobiology Reports - Category: Laboratory Medicine Source Type: research