An overview of Albumin - Based Nanoparticles: Targeted Precision in Cancer Chemotherapy

Abstract

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. According to WHO estimates, cancer ranks as the first or second leading cause of death in 183 countries. Chemotherapy is the most widely used promising treatment for cancer. However, patients undergoing chemotherapy often suffer from serious side effects due to the impact of chemo-drugs on normal cells. Targeted delivery of cytotoxic drugs in chemotherapy presents a major challenge, which can be addressed by using nanoparticles. Nanoparticles serve as an excellent carrier for cytotoxic drugs to target tumor cells, resulting in a reduction of side effects. These nanoparticles are biodegradable and biocompatible. Recent research has demonstrated that nutrient transporters can improve targeting in tumor cells. Cancer cells often over express nutrient transporters to fulfill their nutritional requirements for rapid growth. Albumin binding proteins (ABPs) are more numerous in tumor cells, making them a good target for tumor-specific drug delivery. Albumin is a plasma protein characterized by high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and non-immunogenicity. When drugs are infused with albumin, it helps protect the drugs from elimination and immune responses. For example: Abraxane is a solvent-free nano version of Taxol, which is already marketed albumin-based nanoparticles used in the treatment of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and non-small lung cancer. It contains paclitaxel as an anti-cancer agent. Albumin-based nanoparticles also have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, offering new possibilities for the treatment of brain cancer and CNS diseases. Therefore, this review focuses on the significance of albumin nanoparticles in cancer chemotherapy, their advantages, and recent updates in albumin-based nanoparticles.