Emerging Nanomedicine Approaches in Targeted Lung Cancer Treatment

Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Oct 19;25(20):11235. doi: 10.3390/ijms252011235.

Abstract

Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, is characterized by its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. As traditional chemotherapy has the disadvantage of non-specificity, nanomedicine offers innovative approaches for targeted therapy, particularly through the development of nanoparticles that can deliver therapeutic agents directly to cancer cells, minimizing systemic toxicity and enhancing treatment efficacy. VEGF and VEGFR are shown to be responsible for activating different signaling cascades, which will ultimately enhance tumor development, angiogenesis, and metastasis. By inhibiting VEGF and VEGFR signaling pathways, these nanotherapeutics can effectively disrupt tumor angiogenesis and proliferation. This review highlights recent advancements in nanoparticle design, including lipid-based, polymeric, and inorganic nanoparticles, and their clinical implications in improving lung cancer outcomes, exploring the role of nanomedicine in lung cancer diagnoses and treatment.

Keywords: VEGF; VEGFR; lung cancer; nanomedicine; nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
  • Nanomedicine* / methods
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Grants and funding

We would like to acknowledge Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, for their support in covering the costs of publication for this research paper.