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. 2021 Jul 2;14(13):3706. doi: 10.3390/ma14133706

Table 1.

Comparison between the properties of the nanoparticle systems most used for the treatment of head and neck cancer.

Nanoparticle System Material Characteristics References
Metallic and metal oxide nanoparticles Metallic NPs are solid inorganic particles (among 1–100 nm) that are commonly used in HNC treatments based on their physicochemical properties:
  • -

    Biocompatibility

  • -

    Photostability

  • -

    Photothermal conversion

  • -

    Optical features

  • -

    Radiosensitizer activity

  • -

    Surface functionalization versatility

  • -

    Enhanced permeability and retention effect

  • -

    Plasmon resonance properties (Au)

  • -

    Photocytotoxic effects (Gd)

  • -

    Magnetic properties (Fe3O4)

  • -

    Cellular cytotoxicity induction (Ag)

  • -

    Redox-modulatory effect (CeO2)

  • -

    Easily recognized by innate immune system

  • -

    Long-term health risk still unknown

 [46,50,51,54,59,66,68,69,74,77,84]
Liposomes Liposomes are artificial nanometric (around 20–150 nm) vesicles formed by a phospholipid bilayer with an aqueous inner space. They are widely investigated as a nanocarrier for anticancer agents, based on their properties:
  • -

    Biodegradability

  • -

    Biocompatibility of the phospholipid bilayer

  • -

    Entrapment of hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules (individually or simultaneously in the aqueous cavity)

  • -

    Affinity to mammalian cell membranes

  • -

    Enhanced cellular uptake and biodistribution

  • -

    High drug payload

  • -

    Simple synthesis methods

  • -

    Low batch-to-batch variability

  • -

    Easy surface conjugation

  • -

    Formulation flexibility

 [89,90,91,95,96,97]
Nanomicelles and microemulsions Nanomicelles are colloidal nanoparticles (about 5–100 nm) synthesized from amphiphilic monomers that self-aggregate. They consist of two main regions: an inner hydrophobic core and an outer hydrophilic shell. Nanomicelles exhibit interesting drug delivery features based on their characteristics:
  • -

    Encapsulation of nonpolar molecules (hydrophobic core)

  • -

    Easy surface conjugation with polar drugs or ligands

  • -

    Enhanced solubility of hydrophobic molecules

  • -

    Drug targeting and specificity

  • -

    High drug load capacity

  • -

    Great colloidal stability

  • -

    Stimuli-responsive (pH, temperature, light, ultrasound)

  • -

    Longer circulation time (avoid the reticuloendothelial system)

  • -

    Co-delivery of hydrophobic and hydrophilic anticancer agents

  • -

    Premature drug release

  • -

    Poor control of sustained release

  • -

    Inability to encapsulate hydrophilic agents

 [105,106,108,114]
Polymeric nanoparticles Polymeric nanoparticles are colloidal particles (among 100–300 nm) prepared with biocompatible polymers for drug delivery. They offer several advantages during drug delivery, based on their properties:
  • -

    Biodegradability

  • -

    Biocompatibility

  • -

    Natural or synthetic polymers

  • -

    Predictable pharmacokinetics (synthetic polymers)

  • -

    High encapsulation efficiency

  • -

    Controlled drug release

  • -

    Cationic, anionic, or nonionic properties (depending on the polymer)

  • -

    Mucoadhesive features (chitosan)

  • -

    pH sensitivity (chitosan)

  • -

    Initial boost prevention

  • -

    High purity and reproducibility (synthetic polymers)

  • -

    Nonimmunogenic properties (natural polymers)

  • -

    Coating features

  • -

    Enhanced solubility

  • -

    Easy preparation technique

  • -

    Good control over size and size distribution

  • -

    Prolonged blood circulation (synthetic polymers)

  • -

    Approved by FDA and EMA (PLGA)

  • -

    Reduced reticuloendothelial system captures

  • -

    Poor stability and easy degradation (natural polymers)

  • -

    Possible accumulation in the liver or the spleen

 [54,106,117,118,119,120,127,128,133,134,139,145]
Mesoporous Mesoporous silica nanoparticles represent a promising inorganic nanocarrier (among 50–200 nm) with very interesting properties, such as:
  • -

    Biocompatibility

  • -

    Biodegradability

  • -

    Tunable pore size

  • -

    Easy surface functionalization

  • -

    Large mesopore volume

  • -

    Uniform mesoporosity

  • -

    Flexible structure

  • -

    High payload capability

  • -

    Great encapsulation efficiency

  • -

    Sustained drug release

  • -

    Minimum toxicity

  • -

    Electrostatic adsorption of hydrophilic molecules

  • -

    FDA approval

 [166,167,168,169]
Solid lipid nanoparticles Solid lipid nanoparticles are colloidal nanovehicles (around 50–1000 nm) synthesized with lipids that remain solid at room temperature and surfactants. Among their main characteristics are:
  • -

    Biocompatibility

  • -

    Biodegradability

  • -

    High drug stability

  • -

    Improved intracellular uptake

  • -

    Prevention of drug leaking during administration and prevention of an early burst delivery

  • -

    Feasibility of incorporating hydrophilic and lipophilic molecules

  • -

    Improved bioavailability of poorly water-soluble agents

  • -

    Possible drug expulsion during storage

  • -

    Poor drug loading capacity

 [171,172,173,175,176,177,178]