Recent advances in the combination delivery of drug for leukemia and other cancers

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Combination therapy has been explored for its potential to reduce or eliminate multidrug resistance in treating different types of cancer including leukemia. Nutraceutical, small molecular drugs, and small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) are some of the effective drugs. In order to avoid off-site targeting, reduce the dosage required, and increase the half-life of the drug in the circulation system, drug delivery vehicles, such as nanoparticles and microfibers have been explored.

Areas covered: This review summarizes various therapies utilized in treating leukemia based on their effectiveness in inducing protein inhibition and/or apoptosis. In particular, treatment effectiveness using combination therapy using various devices is addressed. Recently explored drug delivery methods are reviewed, providing examples and their applications in cancer treatment. The drug listing, delivery systems classifications, along with the general modeling approach in this review, provide, to a full extent, a basis for cancer drug delivery future studies.

Expert opinion: The reviewer’s opinion tackles the potential of using a multi-delivery system to deliver multiple drugs, providing better control upon drug release and targeting. Both local and systemic delivery are considered and explored for their potential targets. Researchers are advised to pre-consider all aspects associated with their desired delivery method.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer
• drug delivery
• combination
• nanoparticles
• fibers
• leukemia
• electrospinning
• nutraceuticals
• electrospinning

Article highlights

• Review of drugs used Leukemia and other cancer treatment including nutraceuticals and siRNA

• Comparison of drug carries such as scaffolds, nanoparticles, and electrospun fibers

• Strategies used in targeting of drugs with nanoparticles

• Combination therapy using multiple drugs in single carriers

• Combination therapy using multiple devices

• Review of modeling of drug uptake from different devices

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

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.

Additional information

Funding

This paper received financial support from the BP Endowment.