Alginate-Based Platforms for Cancer-Targeted Drug Delivery

• Published in: BioMed research international Vol. 2020; no. 2020; pp. 1 - 17
• Main Authors: Yuan, Zhi-xiang, Liu, Hongmei, Shang, Zhenghui, He, Lili
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2020; Hindawi; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Acids; Alginates; Alginic acid; Antimitotic agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Biocompatibility; Biodegradability; Biodegradation; Biopolymers; Cancer; Cancer therapies; Cell Line, Tumor; Dosage and administration; Drug Carriers; Drug delivery; Drug delivery systems; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; Drugs; Humans; Hydrogels; Methods; Micelles; Microemulsions; Nanoparticles; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Optimization; Permeability; Pharmaceutical research; Physical properties; Platforms; Polyelectrolytes; Polymers; Polysaccharides; Review; Sodium; Vehicles; China
• ISSN: 2314-6133; 2314-6141
• DOI: 10.1155/2020/1487259

As an acidic, ocean colloid polysaccharide, alginate is both a biopolymer and a polyelectrolyte that is considered to be biocompatible, nontoxic, nonimmunogenic, and biodegradable. A significant number of studies have confirmed the potential use of alginate-based platforms as effective vehicles for drug delivery for cancer-targeted treatment. In this review, the focus is on the formation of alginate-based cancer-targeted delivery systems. Specifically, some general chemical and physical properties of alginate and different types of alginate-based delivery systems are discussed, and various kinds of alginate-based carriers are introduced. Finally, recent innovative strategies to functionalize alginate-based vehicles for cancer targeting are described to highlight research towards the optimization of alginate.