Recent advances in galactose-engineered nanocarriers for the site-specific delivery of siRNA and anticancer drugs

Jain A 1 , Jain A 2 , Parajuli P 3 , Mishra V 4 , Ghoshal G 5 , Singh B 2 Show all authors , Shivhare US 5 , Katare OP 6 , Kesharwani P 7

Affiliations 

  • 1 University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India; UGC-Centre of Excellence in Applications of Nanomaterials, Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India; Dr S.S. Bhatnagar University Institute of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India
  • 2 UGC-Centre of Excellence in Applications of Nanomaterials, Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India
  • 3 Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
  • 4 Department of Pharmaceutics, Lovely Institute of Technology (Pharmacy), Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
  • 5 Dr S.S. Bhatnagar University Institute of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India
  • 6 University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160 014, India. Electronic address: drkatare@yahoo.com
  • 7 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Malaysia. Electronic address: prashantdops@gmail.com
Drug Discov Today, 2018 05;23(5):960-973.
PMID: 29129804 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2017.11.003

Abstract

Galactosylated nanocarriers have recently emerged as viable and versatile tools to deliver drugs at an optimal rate specifically to their target tissues or cells, thus maximizing their therapeutic benefits while circumventing off-target effects. The abundance of lectin receptors on cell surfaces makes the galactosylated carriers suitable for the targeted delivery of bioactives. Additionally, tethering of galactose (GAL) to various carriers, including micelles, liposomes, and nanoparticles (NPs), might also be appropriate for drug delivery. Here, we review recent advances in the development of galactosylated nanocarriers for active tumor targeting. We also provide a brief overview of the targeting mechanisms and cell receptor theory involved in the ligand-receptor-mediated delivery of drug carriers.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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