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Receptor binding peptides for target-selective delivery of nanoparticles encapsulated drugs.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Accardo, Antonella 
Aurilio, Michela 
Morelli, Giancarlo 
Tesauro, Diego 

Abstract

Active targeting by means of drug encapsulated nanoparticles decorated with targeting bioactive moieties represents the next frontier in drug delivery; it reduces drug side effects and increases the therapeutic index. Peptides, based on their chemical and biological properties, could have a prevalent role to direct drug encapsulated nanoparticles, such as liposomes, micelles, or hard nanoparticles, toward the tumor tissues. A considerable number of molecular targets for peptides are either exclusively expressed or overexpressed on both cancer vasculature and cancer cells. They can be classified into three wide categories: integrins; growth factor receptors (GFRs); and G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Therapeutic agents based on nanovectors decorated with peptides targeting membrane receptors belonging to the GPCR family overexpressed by cancer cells are reviewed in this article. The most studied targeting membrane receptors are considered: somatostatin receptors; cholecystokinin receptors; receptors associated with the Bombesin like peptides family; luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone receptors; and neurotensin receptors. Nanovectors of different sizes and shapes (micelles, liposomes, or hard nanoparticles) loaded with doxorubicin or other cytotoxic drugs and externally functionalized with natural or synthetic peptides are able to target the overexpressed receptors and are described based on their formulation and in vitro and in vivo behaviors.

Description

Keywords

active targeting, drug delivery, nanoparticles, receptors binding peptides, supramolecular aggregates, Animals, Antineoplastic Agents, Humans, Molecular Targeted Therapy, Nanocapsules, Neoplasms, Peptides, Receptors, Peptide

Journal Title

Int J Nanomedicine

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1176-9114
1178-2013

Volume Title

9

Publisher

Informa UK Limited