Figure 6.

Scheme of Multifunctional nanoparticles used in cancer nanotherapeutics. The multifunctional nanocarriers are able to carry multiple therapeutic agents that may have a biological or non-biological origin. Impregnation of the nanocarrier with poly ethylene glycol termed PEGylation prolongs circulation time and reduces immunogenicity of nanoparticles, and impregnation of contrast agent/imaging agent makes this nanoparticulate formulation more traceable with in solid tumors. Conjugating targeting agents like antibodies and ligands is an approach to actively target tumor and endothelial cells within tumor microenvironment with minimum toxicity to other cell types. Hence, advances in the design of multifunctional nanoparticles is focused on developing the ideal nanocarrier that can effectively carry optimal drug to solid tumor, bring about tumor growth inhibition and prevent it’s progression