Doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome and albumin-bound paclitaxel in cancer: a nanotechnology perspective

Abstract

Nanoparticles (1-100 nanometres in size), products of nanotechnology, offer a modern way to transport anti-cancer drugs by acting as transporters of drugs into tumor cells, hence quenching tumor cell proliferation. Such nanoparticles may be formulated to bind to the tumor cell membrane or inhibit specific reactions of tumor biosynthetic pathway by gene repression, or directly bind to the active sites of essential enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway. Consequently, drugs are completely delivered to the desired cancerous cells without system interference. Liposomal doxorubicin and albumin-bound paclitaxel are two examples of nanotechnologically developed drugs for treating cancer. Modern knowledge of nanotechnology opens up new opportunities for innovative research on cancer therapies and administration and helps minimize harm to healthy cells. This review focuses on the doses and routes of administration of these chemotherapeutic agents used in treating cancers.