Nanoscale bioconjugates: A review of the structural attributes of drug-loaded nanocarrier conjugates for selective cancer therapy
Wenjie Zhang,
Reza Taheri-Ledari,
Fatemeh Ganjali,
Fereshte Hassanzadeh Afruzi,
Zoleikha Hajizadeh,
Mahdi Saeidirad,
Fateme Sadat Qazi,
Amir Kashtiaray,
Samin Sadat Sehat,
Michael R. Hamblin,
Ali Maleki
Affiliations
Wenjie Zhang
Department of Nuclear Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Alley, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, PR China
Reza Taheri-Ledari
Catalysts and Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 16846-13114, Iran; Corresponding author.
Fatemeh Ganjali
Catalysts and Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 16846-13114, Iran
Fereshte Hassanzadeh Afruzi
Catalysts and Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 16846-13114, Iran
Zoleikha Hajizadeh
Catalysts and Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 16846-13114, Iran
Mahdi Saeidirad
Catalysts and Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 16846-13114, Iran
Fateme Sadat Qazi
Catalysts and Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 16846-13114, Iran
Amir Kashtiaray
Catalysts and Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 16846-13114, Iran
Samin Sadat Sehat
Catalysts and Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 16846-13114, Iran
Michael R. Hamblin
Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa
Ali Maleki
Catalysts and Organic Synthesis Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran 16846-13114, Iran; Corresponding author.
Nanobioconjugates are nanoscale drug delivery vehicles that have been conjugated to or decorated with biologically active targeting ligands. These targeting ligands can be antibodies, peptides, aptamers, or small molecules such as vitamins or hormones. Most research studies in this field have been devoted to targeting cancer. Moreover, the nanostructures can be designed with an additional level of targeting by being designed to be stimulus-responsive or “smart” by a judicious choice of materials to be incorporated into the hybrid nanostructures. This stimulus could be an acidic pH, raised temperature, enzyme, ultrasound, redox potential, an externally applied magnetic field, or laser irradiation. In this case, the smart capability can increase the accumulation at the tumor site or the on-demand drug release, while the ligand ensures selective binding to the tumor cells. The present review highlights some interesting studies classified according to the nanostructure material. These materials include natural substances (polysaccharides), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (and halloysite nanotubes), metal-organic frameworks and covalent-organic frameworks, metal nanoparticles (gold and silver), and polymeric micelles.
