Design considerations for nanotherapeutics in oncology

Barriers posed by the abnormal tumor micro-environment hinder delivery of nanoparticles to solid tumors, causing heterogeneous drug distribution and reducing the efficacy of the treatment. Careful design of the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles as well as their binding affinity to cancer cells and the controlled release of the drug can improve delivery and treatment outcomes. In this review, design considerations are provided for nanotherapeutics in oncology. Image shows heterogeneous intratumoral distribution of liposomes (bright red color) 90 nm in diameter (with permission from Yuan, F. et al Cancer Res. 54, 3352-3356, 1994).159