Self-assembled nanostructures for anticancer applications: Advances and limitations

Document Type : Mini-Review

Authors

1 Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran Nanobiotechnology Department, Faculty of Innovative Science and Technology, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

2 High Performance Powertrain Materials Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of British Columbia – Okanagan, Kelowna, V1V 1V7, Canada

Abstract

Self-assembled nanostructures can be created as the spontaneous organization of individual nanomaterials via entropy maximization (under suitable conditions) into ordered nanostructures by non-covalent interactions such as van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions. Nucleic acids, amino acids, and lipids are the main building blocks to producing natural self-aasembled nanostructures. For self-assembled nanocarriers as reversible organization, several advantages have been found including biocompatibility, biochemical diversity, and high loading efficiency for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic therapeutic agents, and ability to passive and active targeting. In the case of cancers, these benefits can improve formulations due to inactivation or eradication of various cancer cells. However, there are some limitations such as low stability in the physiological conditions for these formulations, which we have tried to address these issues.

Graphical Abstract

Self-assembled nanostructures for anticancer applications: Advances and limitations

Highlights

  • Targeting of anticancer drugs with low side effects is the critical factor for new effective formulations.
  • Self-assembled nanostructures can be obtained as the spontaneous organization of individual nanomaterials via entropy maximization into ordered nanostructures.
  • There are several benefits for self-assembled nanocarriers involving biocompatibility, biochemical diversity, ability to passive and active targeting, and high loading efficiency for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic therapeutic agents.
  • Low stability is the major limitation of these formulations in physiological conditions, which can be modified by organic or inorganic stabilizers specifically polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol succinate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and carboxymethylcellulose sodium.

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© 2022 by the NMB. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Nano Micro Biosystems
Volume 1, Issue 1
September 2022
Pages 27-31

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History

  • Receive Date: 20 October 2022
  • Revise Date: 23 November 2022
  • Accept Date: 24 November 2022

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