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- Title
Tumor versus Tumor Cell Targeting in Metal-Based Nanoparticles for Cancer Theranostics.
- Authors
Urbano-Gámez, Jesús David; Guzzi, Cinzia; Bernal, Manuel; Solivera, Juan; Martínez-Zubiaurre, Iñigo; Caro, Carlos; García-Martín, María Luisa
- Abstract
The application of metal-based nanoparticles (mNPs) in cancer therapy and diagnostics (theranostics) has been a hot research topic since the early days of nanotechnology, becoming even more relevant in recent years. However, the clinical translation of this technology has been notably poor, with one of the main reasons being a lack of understanding of the disease and conceptual errors in the design of mNPs. Strikingly, throughout the reported studies to date on in vivo experiments, the concepts of "tumor targeting" and "tumor cell targeting" are often intertwined, particularly in the context of active targeting. These misconceptions may lead to design flaws, resulting in failed theranostic strategies. In the context of mNPs, tumor targeting can be described as the process by which mNPs reach the tumor mass (as a tissue), while tumor cell targeting refers to the specific interaction of mNPs with tumor cells once they have reached the tumor tissue. In this review, we conduct a critical analysis of key challenges that must be addressed for the successful targeting of either tumor tissue or cancer cells within the tumor tissue. Additionally, we explore essential features necessary for the smart design of theranostic mNPs, where 'smart design' refers to the process involving advanced consideration of the physicochemical features of the mNPs, targeting motifs, and physiological barriers that must be overcome for successful tumor targeting and/or tumor cell targeting.
- Subjects
COMPANION diagnostics; NANOMEDICINE; NANOPARTICLES; TUMORS; CONCEPTUAL design; CANCER cells
- Publication
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024, Vol 25, Issue 10, p5213
- ISSN
1661-6596
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/ijms25105213