Salinomycin-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Overcoming the Hurdles in Cancer Therapy
Lucia Ruxandra Tefas,
Cristina Barbălată,
Cristian Tefas,
Ioan Tomuță
Affiliations
Lucia Ruxandra Tefas
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Cristina Barbălată
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Cristian Tefas
Department of Gastroenterology, “Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor” Regional Institute for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 19–21 Croitorilor Street, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ioan Tomuță
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 41 Victor Babeș Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are reportedly responsible for the initiation and propagation of cancer. Since CSCs are highly resistant to conventional chemo- and radiotherapy, they are considered the main cause of cancer relapse and metastasis. Salinomycin (Sali), an anticoccidial polyether antibiotic, has emerged as a promising new candidate for cancer therapy, with selective cytotoxicity against CSCs in various malignancies. Nanotechnology provides an efficient means of delivering Sali to tumors in view of reducing collateral damage to healthy tissues and enhancing the therapeutic outcome. This review offers an insight into the most recent advances in cancer therapy using Sali-based nanocarriers.
