Skip to main content
. 2024 Dec 19;22:783. doi: 10.1186/s12951-024-02940-4

Table 4.

Nanobiotechnological advances in targeted drug delivery for lymph node metastasis in cancer

Nanocarrier type Cancer type Mechanism Efficacy results Refs.
Liposomes Breast cancer Enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect; targeted delivery to metastatic lymph nodes Improved drug accumulation in lymph nodes; reduced systemic toxicity [319]
Gold nanoparticles Melanoma Active targeting using specific ligands; photothermal therapy Increased tumor regression; minimal side effects [320]
Dendrimers Prostate cancer Passive targeting through size and surface modifications; controlled drug release Higher drug concentration in cancerous lymph nodes; lower adverse effects [321]
Polymeric nanoparticles Lung cancer Targeted delivery via surface functionalization; co-delivery of drugs and genes Enhanced therapeutic efficacy; reduced drug resistance [322]
Magnetic nanoparticles Head and neck cancer Magnetic targeting; hyperthermia therapy Localized treatment; improved survival rates [323]
Quantum dots Colorectal cancer Image-guided drug delivery; real-time monitoring of drug distribution Precise targeting; optimized dosage and treatment monitoring [324]
Carbon nanotubes Cervical cancer Active targeting with antibodies; combination therapy (drug and heat) Synergistic effect of chemotherapy and hyperthermia; improved treatment response [325]
Micelles Ovarian cancer Enhanced drug solubility and stability; targeted delivery through surface modifications Improved targeting of metastatic sites; reduced off-target effects [326]
Silica nanoparticles Pancreatic cancer Site-specific drug release; enzyme-responsive drug release in tumor environment Higher therapeutic index; minimal impact on healthy tissue [327]
Lipid-based nanocarriers Bladder cancer Mucoadhesive properties for intravesical therapy; sustained drug release Increased drug retention in bladder; enhanced local efficacy [328]
Exosome-based delivery Gastric cancer Natural biocompatibility; targeted delivery through surface proteins Reduced immune response; improved drug delivery to metastatic lymph nodes [329]
Polymeric Micelles Thyroid cancer Active targeting with thyroid-specific ligands; controlled release kinetics Selective accumulation in thyroid cancer cells; low systemic toxicity [330]
Metal–organic frameworks Renal cancer High drug loading capacity; stimuli-responsive release Efficient drug delivery to tumor sites; reduced renal clearance [331]
Hybrid nanoparticles Glioblastoma Blood–brain barrier penetration; dual drug delivery system Enhanced delivery to brain tumors; synergistic therapeutic effects [332]
Albumin nanoparticles Skin cancer (non-melanoma) Tumor microenvironment targeting; enhanced permeation Improved localization at tumor sites; reduced toxicity to normal cells [333]
Mesoporous silica nanoparticles Sarcoma High drug loading, pH-sensitive release in tumor microenvironment Efficient targeting of sarcoma cells; decreased systemic side effects [334]
Nanodiamonds Leukemia Drug delivery via surface adsorption; biocompatibility Sustained drug release in target cells; low immunogenicity [335]
Polymeric nanocapsules Brain cancer Enhanced blood–brain barrier penetration; targeted delivery to tumor cells Increased drug concentration in brain tumors; reduced peripheral toxicity [336]
Iron oxide nanoparticles Lymphoma Magnetic targeting; diagnostic and therapeutic (theranostic) applications Targeted therapy with real-time imaging; improved treatment monitoring [337]
Nanogels Esophageal cancer Responsive drug release; protection of therapeutic agents Enhanced delivery to esophageal cancer cells; reduced degradation of drugs [338]
Hollow nanospheres Osteosarcoma Targeted delivery and controlled release; high drug encapsulation efficiency Increased accumulation in tumor tissues; effective treatment of metastasis [339]
Hydrogel nanoparticles Hepatocellular carcinoma Enhanced liver targeting; slow and controlled drug release Improved drug concentration in liver tumors; reduced systemic exposure [340]
Chitosan nanoparticles Endometrial cancer Mucoadhesive properties for targeted delivery; bioresponsive degradation Increased retention and efficacy in endometrial tissue; lower adverse effects [341]
Nanoemulsions Thyroid cancer Enhanced solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs; active targeting using thyroid-specific antibodies Improved bioavailability; specific targeting of thyroid cancer cells [342]
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) Nanoparticles Kidney cancer Biodegradable and biocompatible carrier; sustained drug release Reduced nephrotoxicity; enhanced accumulation in renal cancer cells [343]
magnetic liposomes Prostate cancer Magnetic field-directed targeting; combination of drug and hyperthermia therapy Localized treatment effects; synergistic improvement in tumor reduction [344]
Cerium oxide nanoparticles Colorectal cancer Antioxidant properties; protection of normal cells from oxidative stress Reduced side effects; enhanced targeting of colorectal tumor cells [345]
Silver nanoparticles Bladder cancer Anti-microbial properties; prevention of post-surgical infections Lowered risk of infection in bladder cancer patients undergoing treatment [346]
Zeolite nanoparticles Ovarian cancer High surface area for drug adsorption; targeted delivery using ovarian-specific ligands Efficient delivery to ovarian tumors; reduced off-target effects [347]
Carbon nanocapsules Pancreatic cancer High drug loading efficiency; protection of encapsulated drugs from degradation Improved stability and efficacy of the therapeutic agent in pancreatic tumors [348]
Peptide nanofibers Breast cancer Targeted delivery using breast cancer-specific peptides; enhanced cellular uptake Higher specificity for breast cancer cells; reduced impact on healthy tissue [349]
Nanocrystals Squamous cell carcinoma Improved solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs; passive targeting to tumor sites Enhanced drug delivery to tumor sites; improved treatment efficacy [350]
Polymer-dendrimer hybrid nanoparticles Liver cancer Targeted delivery to liver cells; dual drug loading capacity Efficient delivery and reduced toxicity in liver cancer treatment [351]
Bimetallic nanoparticles Oral cancer Theranostic application; imaging and therapy Enhanced tumor imaging and targeted therapy; improved treatment monitoring [352]
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanoparticles Glioma Enhanced brain penetration; targeted delivery to tumor cells Improved drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier; targeted action at tumor sites [353]
Nanostructured lipid carriers Cervical cancer Improved stability and prolonged release of drugs; targeted delivery using cervical cancer-specific ligands Enhanced efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity in cervical cancer treatment [354]
Inorganic nanocarriers (e.g., silica, gold) Osteosarcoma Targeted drug delivery; multimodal therapy options (e.g., thermal ablation) Improved targeting and treatment outcomes; potential for combination therapies [355]
Biodegradable nanospheres Melanoma Controlled release; targeted delivery with melanoma-specific ligands Enhanced drug accumulation in melanoma cells; minimal side effects [356]
Nanobubbles Bladder cancer Ultrasound-mediated drug delivery; enhanced permeability and retention effect Targeted drug delivery and improved treatment efficacy in bladder cancer [357]
Stimuli-responsive Nanoparticles Lung cancer Targeted delivery triggered by pH/tumor microenvironment; controlled release Enhanced targeting and treatment efficacy in lung cancer cells [358]
Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles Brain tumors Magnetic targeting; imaging contrast agents Improved imaging of tumor sites; targeted drug delivery with magnetic guidance [359]
Gold nanorods Oral squamous cell carcinoma Photothermal therapy; localized heating to release drugs Efficient tumor ablation; targeted drug release at tumor site [360]
Lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles Colorectal cancer Enhanced drug stability; targeted delivery with colorectal-specific ligands Improved drug retention in colorectal tumors; reduced side effects [361]
Carbon quantum dots Breast cancer Fluorescence imaging; targeted drug delivery Effective tumor imaging and targeted therapy; low toxicity [362]
Hollow gold nanospheres Pancreatic cancer Photothermal therapy; targeted heat-induced drug release Selective tumor cell destruction; controlled drug release [363]
Nanostructured lipid carriers Prostate cancer Improved solubility of hydrophobic drugs; sustained release Higher drug bioavailability in prostate tumors; reduced systemic toxicity [364]
Polymeric nanogels Ovarian cancer Targeted delivery using ovarian cancer-specific markers; responsive drug release Increased targeting accuracy; enhanced drug effectiveness with reduced side effects [365]
Silica-based nanoparticles Renal cell carcinoma High drug loading capacity; controlled and sustained release Efficient delivery of therapeutics to renal tumors; minimal renal toxicity [366]
Multifunctional nanoparticles Head and neck cancer Combination therapy delivery; targeted imaging and treatment Enhanced drug delivery efficiency; improved treatment monitoring and outcomes [367]
Quantum dot nanocarriers Thyroid cancer Targeted imaging and drug delivery; real-time tumor tracking Precise drug delivery with imaging; improved treatment efficacy [368]
Nanoscale metal–organic frameworks Bladder cancer High drug loading; controlled release in tumor microenvironment Targeted therapy with reduced systemic toxicity; improved therapeutic outcomes [369]
Polymeric nanobubbles Skin cancer (melanoma) Ultrasound-triggered drug release; enhanced tumor penetration Improved drug delivery to deep-seated tumors; enhanced treatment efficacy [370]
Self-assembling nanofibers Pancreatic cancer Targeted drug delivery; enhanced penetration in dense tumor stroma Improved drug delivery in fibrotic pancreatic tumors; reduced systemic side effects [371]
Magnetic nanoclusters Osteosarcoma Magnetic field-directed targeting; enhanced delivery to bone tumors Improved targeting to osteosarcoma sites; potential for hyperthermia therapy [372]
Nanostructured surfaces for drug delivery Gastric cancer Enhanced mucosal adhesion; localized and sustained drug release Increased drug concentration at the tumor site; reduced systemic absorption [373]
Lipid-based nanovesicles Cervical cancer Targeted drug delivery via cervical cancer-specific antigens Enhanced specificity for cervical cancer cells; minimized impact on non-cancerous cells [374]
Biodegradable nanofibers Liver cancer Controlled drug release; specific targeting to liver cells Improved drug delivery to liver tumors with minimal off-target effects [375]