Schematic diagram for cell targeted delivery of therapeutic agents carried by a nanoparticle. The process is comprised of three sequential steps: (i) nanoparticle binding to target cells via multivalent receptor–ligand interactions, (ii) intracellular uptake of the nanoparticle via receptor-mediated endocytosis, and (iii) intracellular drug release or action [1].
Abbrevation: AuNP: Gold nanoparticle;IONP: Iron Oxide nanoparticle; QD: Quantum dots; FA:folic acid; MTX: methotrexate; RF: riboflavin; EGF: epidermal growth factor; RGD: Arg-Gly-Asp; FAR: folate receptor; RFR:riboflavin receptor; EGFR: epidermal growth factor receptor; PSMA: prostate-specific membrane antigen