Chitosan-based nanoparticles in cancer therapy

In recent years, many nanotechnology platforms in the area of medical biology, including cancer therapy, have attracted remarkable attention. In particular, research in targeted, polymeric nanoparticles for cancer therapy has increased dramatically in the past 5-10 years. However, the potential success of nanoparticles in the clinic relies on consideration of important parameters such as nanoparticle fabrication strategies, their physical properties, drug loading efficiencies, drug release potential, and, most importantly, minimum toxicity of the carrier itself. Recent work has suggested that chitosan materials hold much promise in advancing nanoparticle-based therapeutics. The field of oncology could soon be revolutionized by novel strategies for therapy employing chitosan-based nanotherapeutics. Several aspects of cancer therapy would be involved. Chitosans can also be applied to a variety of cancer therapies to improve their safety and efficacy. Further applications of chitosans in cancer therapy are being examined. This review focuses on providing brief updates on chitosan nanoparticles for cancer therapy. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg