Table 3.
The application of different types of nanocarriers (NCs) with their structures and characteristics in breast cancer experimental models.
| Systems | Structure | Characteristics | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polymeric micelles | Amphiphilic in nature; hydrophobic core and hydrophilic shell | Biocompatible and biodegradable; self-assembly and functional modification capability; active and passive targeting | (93) |
| Dendrimers | Synthetic, uniform structures, composed of core, branches, and surface regions | Equity in size, shape, and the length of branches; enhanced surface area, loading capacity, and targeting ability; improve pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of drugs | (95) |
| Liposomes | Lipid bilayer membrane forming self-assembled closed colloidal structures with an aqueous core | Biocompatible and biodegradable; providing improved pharmacokinetics altered biodistribution of the drug; sustained and slow release of the drug; can deliver hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and amphiphilic drugs | (96) |
| Carbon nanotubes | Cylindrical nanoshape structures made of allotropes of carbon a) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), with one layer of graphene sheet and b) multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), with multiple layers of SWCNTs coaxially arranged | Multiple functions; high entrapment efficacy; monodispersity, feasibility of synthesis and sterilization; chemical modification; water-soluble, biocompatible; ability to incorporate any functional groups; active or passive targeting; showing prolonged distribution and localized effects | (97) |
| Solid lipid nanoparticles (NPs) (SLNs) | A surfactant layer on the surface with a lipid matrix consistent with solid lipid (s) | Biocompatible and biodegradable; non-toxic; high stability and feasibility of scale-up; high drug loading; reduced toxicity, enhanced bioavailability of poorly water-soluble and bioactive agents; targeting; capable of loading hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs | (98) |
| Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) | Second generation of SLNs; composed of a surfactant outer layer and solid lipid matrix along with a liquid lipid | Higher drug encapsulation and loading compared to SLNs | (103) |
| Nanoemulsions (NEs) | Droplets of water and oil dispersed biphasically and stabilized by an amphiphilic surfactant | Higher solubility than micellar dispersions; long-term physical stability; passive targeting with enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect; they can carry very hydrophobic drugs, improving their bioavailability | (104) |
| Gold-based NCs (AuNCs) | Different structures, including nanocubes, nanospheres, nanorods, nanoshells, nanobranches, nanocages, and nanowires | The most stable NPs; capable of active and passive targeting; can be PEGylated easily; scattering and light absorption characteristics when exposed to near-infrared wavelength (NIR) and heat production, which can ablate tumor cells | (105) |
| Protein nanocages | Shell-like containers, with intrinsic homogeneous chambers circumscribed by protein walls; have three distinct surfaces: exterior and interior surfaces, the interfaces between subunits | Smaller particles can deliver targeted therapy; monodisperse, biocompatible, water-soluble, biodegradable; selective for cancer cells; extremely homogenous size distribution; can be efficiently produced by genetic engineering | (106) |
| Aptamers | Single-strand oligonucleotides | Feasibility of synthesis and modification; showing low immunogenicity and efficient delivery to different types of cells; modification with siRNAs, miRNAs, and anti-miRNAs can serve for gene delivery | (107) |