Utilisation of Nanoparticle Technology in Cancer Chemoresistance

Figure 3

Visual representation of a selection of varying nanoparticle-based drug (Rx) delivery systems adopted for averting cancer chemoresistance properties. Polymer-based [70] and solid lipid nanoparticle-based [69] delivery systems (blue) allow for bypass of the drug efflux pump, acquired chemoresistance pathways and allow for enhanced drug accumulation within the target cell cytoplasm, together with P-gp downregulation [96]. RNA interference methods utilising short interfering RNAs (purple) have been incorporated in hydrogel nanoparticles for targeting of epidermal growth factor receptor, a key player in mediating cell adhesion methods of chemoresistance [71]. Another major MDR gene targeted by short interfering RNAs includes P-gp [97]. Lipopolycomplex nanoparticles were successful in enhancing the pharmacodynamic properties of the GTI-2040 oligonucleotide, targeting ribonucleotide reductase [98]. Ferromagnetic nanoparticles (black) have also been deployed for downregulation of the major chemoresistance gene MDR1 [72]. Micelle-based nanoparticles (orange) were found to be effective in delivering doxorubicin and VLA-4-specific peptides in multiple myeloma cells [76]. Quantum dots (green) containing siRNAs were also successfully deployed for downregulating MDR1 and P-gp expression in HeLa cell lines [81]. Chitosan nanoparticles (grey) incorporating Jagged1 siRNAs were also highly effective in circumventing MDR properties in taxane-resistant ovarian cell lines [99].