Critical factors in the development of tumor-targeted anti-inflammatory nanomedicines

Maria Coimbra, Bart J. Crielaard, Gert Storm, Raymond M. Schiffelers,  

Abstract

Tumors are complex and dynamic assemblies of different cell types within an atypical/abnormal architecture. Tumor-associated macrophages, mast cells, dendritic cells, eosinophils, fibroblasts are present in and around tumors and contribute to an abundant, deregulated and long lasting chronic inflammation, a permissive microenvironment for tumor proliferation. The fact that tumor-initiated inflammation overrides protective immunity and supports tumor development, combined with the successful strategy of liposomal drug targeting to tumor tissues, gave rise to a novel attractive antitumor therapeutic strategy: targeting anti-inflammatory drugs to tumors.

As many natural bioactive compounds have anti-inflammatory properties and act by targeting multiple signaling pathways, their medicinal application involves the treatment of cancer. The nanoformulation into liposomes circumvents solubility, stability, bioavailability issues associated with these compounds, while promoting tumor drug accumulation.

Resveratrol was purchased from Chengdu Biopurify Phytochemicals Ltd. (China).