Transferrin receptor-mediated liposomal drug delivery: recent trends in targeted therapy of cancer

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Compared to normal cells, malignant cancer cells require more iron for their growth and rapid proliferation, which can be supplied by a high expression level of transferrin receptor (TfR). It is well known that the expression of TfR on the tumor cells is considerably higher than that of normal cells, which makes TfR an attractive target in cancer therapy.

Areas covered

In this review, the primary focus is on the role of TfR as a valuable tool for cancer-targeted drug delivery, followed by the full coverage of available TfR ligands and their conjugation chemistry to the surface of liposomes. Finally, the most recent studies investigating the potential of TfR-targeted liposomes as promising drug delivery vehicles to different cancer cells are highlighted with emphasis on their improvement possibilities to become a part of future cancer medicines.

Expert opinion

Liposomes as a valuable class of nanocarriers have gained much attention toward cancer therapy. From all the studies that have exploited the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of TfR on cancer cells, it can be realized that the systematic assessment of TfR ligands applied for liposomal targeted delivery has yet to be entirely accomplished.

KEYWORDS:

• Liposomes
• drug delivery
• active targeting
• receptor-mediated endocytosis
• transferrin

Acknowledgments

This paper is written based on a dataset of a PhD dissertation submitted by Solmaz Mojarad-Jabali in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (No. 144).

Article highlights

• Due to its over-expression on tumor cells, TfR is a valuable asset in cancer-targeted therapy.

• The potential of TfR-targeted liposomal drug delivery systems for the treatment of liver, and prostate cancers is yet to be explored.

• Plasma proteins can alter the biological capacity and targeting ability of TfR-targeted liposomal formulations.

• The physicochemical properties of TfR-targeted liposomes should be carefully modulated to avoid unfavorable plasma protein adsorption and rapid clearance.

• Due to their promising therapeutic outcomes, TfR-targeted liposomal drug delivery systems are predicted to be an ideal substitute for the current chemotherapy procedures in ten years.

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

The financial support from the ‘Faculty of Pharmacy’ and ‘Drug Applied Research Center’ of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences is greatly acknowledged.