Many researchers are currently investigating more effective, targeted ways of delivering cancer drugs and therapies to patients.
Two such innovative studies have looked at the use of wheat germ agglutinin and folic acid, respectively, as a conjugate to target tumors.
A team in Singapore have modified the nano-encapsulated drug, paclitaxel, with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) to target colon cancer cells.1 These cells express a greater amount of WGA-binding glycoproteins. Nanoparticles modified with WGA showed greater uptake into cancer cells when compared to unmodified particles. The WGA-modified particles also showed an enhanced anti-proliferative activit.
In India, a research team have modified nanoparticles loaded with grape seed extract(active as a neutraceutical), in order to target them to folate receptor over-expressing cancers.2 The nanoparticles were conjugated with folic acid in order to target them to these cells. Folate receptor positive cancer cells readily took up the nanoparticles, showing enhanced bioavailability to tumor cells, sparing the normal ones.
Both these reports underline the application of modifications to target cancer therapies - strategies that may greatly improve the side-effects of chemotherapy.
1 Wang C, Ho PC, Lim LY. Wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles for enhanced intracellular delivery of paclitaxel to colon cancer cells. Int J Pharm 400:201-10 (2010).
2 Narayanan S, Binulal NS, Mony U, Manzoor K, Nair S, Menon D. Folate targeted polymeric 'green' nanotherapy for cancer. Nanotechnology 21:285107 (2010).
Two such innovative studies have looked at the use of wheat germ agglutinin and folic acid, respectively, as a conjugate to target tumors.
A team in Singapore have modified the nano-encapsulated drug, paclitaxel, with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) to target colon cancer cells.1 These cells express a greater amount of WGA-binding glycoproteins. Nanoparticles modified with WGA showed greater uptake into cancer cells when compared to unmodified particles. The WGA-modified particles also showed an enhanced anti-proliferative activit.
In India, a research team have modified nanoparticles loaded with grape seed extract(active as a neutraceutical), in order to target them to folate receptor over-expressing cancers.2 The nanoparticles were conjugated with folic acid in order to target them to these cells. Folate receptor positive cancer cells readily took up the nanoparticles, showing enhanced bioavailability to tumor cells, sparing the normal ones.
Both these reports underline the application of modifications to target cancer therapies - strategies that may greatly improve the side-effects of chemotherapy.
1 Wang C, Ho PC, Lim LY. Wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated PLGA nanoparticles for enhanced intracellular delivery of paclitaxel to colon cancer cells. Int J Pharm 400:201-10 (2010).
2 Narayanan S, Binulal NS, Mony U, Manzoor K, Nair S, Menon D. Folate targeted polymeric 'green' nanotherapy for cancer. Nanotechnology 21:285107 (2010).
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