Targeted Delivery of Nanoparticle Based Taxanes for Breast Cancer Treatment: A Review

Abstract

The most common type of cancers in women is breast cancer. In United States, it is the second common cause of death in women. Metastatic cancer is the advanced stage of breast cancer, which is related to the distribution of cancerous cells from breast tissues to different areas of the body. Over the past numerous years, taxanes are bound to perform a huge role in the management and treatment of numerous malignancies. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Paclitaxel (PTX) and Docetaxel (DTX) clinically for the treatment of various types of cancers i.e. head/neck cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer. Due to poor solubility in the aqueous medium and for the targeted delivery of taxanes, different types of polymers are added along with taxanes to enhance its targeted actions and stability. The targeted delivery of nanoparticles requires specialized molecular diagnosed factors that can differentiate the tumor cells from regular cells and selectively aim the tumor cells. Recently liposomes, micelles, microemulsion, dendrimers, and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are used for targeted drug delivery of taxanes for the breast cancer treatment. PTX and DTX are the first generation taxanes that were revolutionized in the treatment of breast cancer and became famous drugs instantly. Currently, several taxanes named as larotaxel, milataxel, ortataxel, and tesetaxel are in clinical trials with combination therapy. The objective of our review is to discuss the targeted drug delivery approaches of taxane-based nanoparticles for the breast cancer treatment which is effective and has fewer side effects.

Keywords: breast cancer, Docetaxel, nanoparticles, Paclitaxel, targeted delivery, taxanes

Cite this Article

Muhammad Farhan Hanif, Rabbiya Ahmad, Kanza Khalid, Maria Tabassum, Faizan Akram. Targeted Delivery of Nanoparticle-Based Taxanes for Breast Cancer Treatment: A Review. Trends in Drug Delivery. 2019; 6(3): 36–51p.