Figure 2.

Main effects of nanoparticle-based formulations of TRAIL. Different formulations of TRAIL using nanoparticle-based methods have been recently developed, including liposomes. These experimental approaches show a variety of advantages that help to improve the therapeutic potential of TRAIL in cancer. Conjugation with nanoparticles increases the stability of TRAIL therefore increasing its half-life and allowing a sustained release in the tumor. The so-called enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect allows the nanoparticles to be more specific targeting tumors than the antitumor molecules alone. This passive targeting may be improved including different molecules in the nanoparticle composition that specifically target them to the tumor. Finally, nanoparticles loaded with other drugs than TRAIL, which specifically sensitize tumor cells to TRAIL and enhance its pro-apoptotic effect, may have a synergistic effect killing tumor cells