Paclitaxel-loaded micelles enhance transvascular permeability and retention of nanomedicines in tumors.

Paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded polymeric micelles (M-PTX) have been shown to enhance the blood flow and oxygenation of tumors 24h after treatment. We hypothesized that these changes in the tumor microenvironment could lead to an enhancement of the EPR (enhanced permeability and retention) effect. M-PTX, administered 24h before analysis, increased the accumulation of macromolecules, nanoparticles and polymeric micelles in tumors.

Iron oxide-loaded nanotheranostics: major obstacles to in vivo studies and clinical translation.

A major issue in current cancer therapies is the lack of selectivity, which leads to damage in healthy tissues. Therefore, researchers have focused on numerous innovative targeting strategies to address this problem with the goal of increasing selectivity to avoid or minimize accumulation in healthy tissues. These strategies include (i) passive targeting, (ii) active targeting and (iii) stimuli-mediated targeting.

Comparison of active, passive and magnetic targeting to tumors of multifunctional paclitaxel/SPIO-loaded nanoparticles for tumor imaging and therapy.

Multifunctional nanoparticles combining therapy and imaging have the potential to improve cancer treatment by allowing personalized therapy. Herein, we aimed to compare in vivo different strategies in terms of targeting capabilities: (1) passive targeting via the EPR effect, (2) active targeting of αvβ3 integrin via RGD grafting, (3) magnetic targeting via a magnet placed on the tumor and (4) the combination of magnetic targeting and active targeting of αvβ3 integrin. For a translational approach, PLGA-based nanoparticles loaded with paclitaxel and superparamagnetic iron oxides were used.