Targeted drug therapy in nonsmall cell lung cancer: clinical significance and possible solutions-part II (role of nanocarriers)

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80–85% of the cases of lung cancer. The conventional therapeutic effective dosage forms used to treat NSCLC are associated with rigid administration schedules, adverse effects, and may be associated with acquired resistance to therapy. Nanocarriers may provide a suitable alternative to regular formulations to overcome inherent drawbacks and provide better treatment modalities for the patient.

Areas covered

The article explores the application of drug loaded nanocarriers for lung cancer treatment. Drug-loaded nanocarriers can be modified to achieve controlled delivery at the desired tumor infested site. The type of nanocarriers employed are diverse based on polymers, liposomes, metals and a combination of two or more different base materials (hybrids). These may be designed for systemic delivery or local delivery to the lung compartment (via inhalation).

Expert opinion

Nanocarriers can improve pharmacokinetics of the drug payload by improving its delivery to the desired location and can reduce associated systemic toxicities. Through nanocarriers, a wide variety of therapeutics can be administered and targeted to the cancerous site. Some examples of the utilities of nanocarriers are codelivery of drugs, gene delivery, and delivery of other biologics. Overall, the nanocarriers have promising potential in improving therapeutic efficacy of drugs used in NSCLC.

KEYWORDS:

• Nanocarriers
• NSCLC
• gene delivery
• cell line studies
• animal studies
• clinical trials

Article highlights

• The article provides the rationale of using Nanocarriers for Targeting NSCLC

• Nanotechnology-based carriers have improved pulmonary delivery and injectable delivery of drugs for NSCLC by enabling drugs to reach intended site of action.

• The article discusses the application of exploiting nanocarriers for codelivery of drugs and gene delivery in NSCLC.

• The recent advances in various nano-based drug delivery carrier formulations including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, hybrid nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles, etc. have been discussed.

• The articles highlight the studies carried on in-vitro NSCLC cell lines, preclinical studies plus ongoing, and completed clinical trials so as to provide possible solution for commercialization of nano-based formulations for NSCLC.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Ms. Chetana Jadhav, M. Pharm. student of SPPSPTM, SVKM's NMIMS, Mumbai, for her help with drawing of the Figure.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.