q 2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC - Developers

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CONTENTS
Active Targeting Strategies in
Cancer with a Focus on Potential
Nanotechnology Applications
Randall J. Mrsny
3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 19
3.2 Nanoparticle Characteristics ................................................................................................. 20
3.2.1 Composition and Biocompatibility ........................................................................... 22
3.2.2 Derivitization .............................................................................................................23
3.2.3 Detection.................................................................................................................... 23
3.3 Nanoparticle Targeting.......................................................................................................... 24
3.3.1 Inherent Targeting ..................................................................................................... 24
3.3.2 Complicating Aspects ............................................................................................... 25
3.3.3 Safety Issues .............................................................................................................. 26
3.4 Targeting to Cancer Cells ..................................................................................................... 27
3.4.1 Cell Surface Properties.............................................................................................. 28
3.4.2 Metabolic Properties ................................................................................................. 29
3.5 Targeting to Tumors.............................................................................................................. 30
3.5.1 Aberrant Vasculature................................................................................................. 30
3.5.2 Metabolic Environment............................................................................................. 32
3.6 Fate of Nanoparticles ............................................................................................................ 32
3.6.1 Site of Initial Application ......................................................................................... 33
3.6.2 Distribution to Specific Organs................................................................................. 34
3.6.3 Intracellular Uptake and Fate.................................................................................... 34
3.7 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................... 35
References ...................................................................................................................................... 37
3.1 INTRODUCTION
Nanotechnology has recently become a buzzword in several scientific fields, including the area
of drug delivery, 1 and a variety of nanomedicine opportunities have recently been reviewed. 2 The
concept of nanoparticles as drug delivery vehicles is not new as reviews on the subject were published
nearly 20 years ago. 3 That nanoparticles could be selectively targeted by coating with monoclonal
antibodies provided an early, ground-breaking proof-of-concept that these materials might one day
be effective tools for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. At their inception, all new technologies
q 2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
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