Nanoparticle-mediated metronomic chemotherapy in cancer: A paradigm of precision and persistence

• Published in: Cancer letters Vol. 594; p. 216990
• Main Authors: Kirti, Apoorv, Simnani, Faizan Zarreen, Jena, Snehasmita, Lenka, Sudakshya S., Kalalpitiya, Chethana, Naser, Shaikh Sheeran, Singh, Dibyangshee, Choudhury, Anmol, Sahu, Rudra Narayan, Yadav, Anu, Sinha, Adrija, Nandi, Aditya, Panda, Pritam Kumar, Kaushik, Nagendra Kumar, Suar, Mrutyunjay, Verma, Suresh K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 10-07-2024
• Subjects: Administration, Metronomic; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Cancer; Chemotherapy; Drug Carriers; Drug Delivery Systems - methods; Humans; Liposome; Metronomic; Nanoparticle; Nanoparticles - administration & dosage; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - pathology; Therapy; Liposome; Therapy; Chemotherapy; Metronomic; Nanoparticle; Cancer
• ISSN: 0304-3835; 1872-7980; 1872-7980
• DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216990

Current methods of cancer therapy have demonstrated enormous potential in tumor inhibition. However, a high dosage regimen of chemotherapy results in various complications which affect the normal body cells. Tumor cells also develop resistance against the prescribed drugs in the whole treatment regimen increasing the risk of cancer relapse. Metronomic chemotherapy is a modern treatment method that involves administering drugs at low doses continuously, allowing the drug sufficient time to take its effect. This method ensures that the toxicity of the drugs is to a minimum in comparison to conventional chemotherapy. Nanoparticles have shown efficacy in delivering drugs to the tumor cells in various cancer therapies. Combining nanoparticles with metronomic chemotherapy can yield better treatment results. This combination stimulates the immune system, improving cancer cells recognition by immune cells. Evidence from clinical and pre-clinical trials supports the use of metronomic delivery for drug-loaded nanoparticles. This review focuses on the functionalization of nanoparticles for improved drug delivery and inhibition of tumor growth. It emphasizes the mechanisms of metronomic chemotherapy and its conjunction with nanotechnology. Additionally, it explores tumor progression and the current methods of chemotherapy. The challenges associated with nano-based metronomic chemotherapy are outlined, paving the way for prospects in this dynamic field.
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•Metronomic chemotherapy is the next generation technique for cancer treatment.•Metronomic therapy defines administration of drugs at low dose in intervals of time.•Nanoparticles synergy with metronomic therapy can boost immune cells ability to identify cancer cells.•The limitations and the research gaps in metronomic therapy have been highlighted.