What Are Nanocarriers?
Nanocarriers are nanoscale vehicles designed to deliver
therapeutic agents directly to cancer cells. They can encapsulate drugs, genes, or other therapeutic molecules, improving their stability and targeting capabilities. These carriers range in size from 1 to 1000 nanometers and include nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, and polymeric micelles.
How Do Nanocarriers Work?
Nanocarriers can be engineered to exploit the unique characteristics of
tumor microenvironments, such as leaky vasculature and acidic pH. By doing so, they preferentially accumulate in tumor tissues through the Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect. Once at the tumor site, nanocarriers can release their payload in a controlled manner, maximizing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity.
Liposomes: Spherical vesicles composed of lipid bilayers, ideal for encapsulating both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs.
Polymeric nanoparticles: Made from biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, offering controlled drug release.
Dendrimers: Branched macromolecules with high drug-loading capacity and precise molecular structure.
Gold nanoparticles: Capable of both drug delivery and photothermal therapy due to their unique optical properties.
Carbon nanotubes: Hollow cylindrical structures useful for drug delivery, imaging, and thermal ablation.
Targeted delivery: They can be functionalized with ligands that specifically bind to cancer cell receptors, enhancing specificity.
Reduced toxicity: By localizing the drug at the tumor site, they minimize the adverse effects on healthy tissues.
Enhanced solubility: They improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs, increasing their bioavailability.
Controlled release: They can be engineered to release their payload in response to specific stimuli, ensuring a sustained therapeutic effect.
