Nano-chemotherapeutics: Maximising lymphatic drug exposure to improve the treatment of lymph-metastatic cancers

• Published in: Journal of controlled release Vol. 193; pp. 241 - 256
• Main Authors: Ryan, Gemma M., Kaminskas, Lisa M., Porter, Christopher J.H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 10.11.2014
• Subjects: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacokinetics; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Chemical Phenomena; Chemotherapeutic; Drug Carriers - chemistry; Drug delivery systems; Humans; Lymph node; Lymph Nodes - blood supply; Lymph Nodes - drug effects; Lymph Nodes - metabolism; Lymph Nodes - pathology; Lymphatic; Lymphatic Metastasis; Metastasis; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Neovascularization, Pathologic - drug therapy; Neovascularization, Pathologic - metabolism; Neovascularization, Pathologic - pathology; Tissue Distribution; Lymphatic; Drug delivery systems; Chemotherapeutic; Metastasis; Lymph node
• ISSN: 0168-3659; 1873-4995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.04.051

Nano-sized drug delivery systems incorporating chemotherapeutic drugs (“nano-chemotherapeutics”) have been widely employed for the treatment of solid tumours. The dimensions of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems also make them ideal vectors for improving drug exposure to the lymphatic system, potentially enhancing the treatment of lymph-resident metastases. This review examines the physical properties of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems that promote lymphatic exposure and lymph node retention, and discusses methods for improving lymphatic access. Drug delivery systems that have been investigated for the treatment of lymph node metastasis are also reviewed, and recent advances towards active targeting approaches for lymphatic metastases highlighted. [Display omitted]