Beyond Formulation: Contributions of Nanotechnology for Translation of Anticancer Natural Products into New Drugs

Author(s)

Miguel, Rodrigo dos A. ; Hirata, Amanda S. ; Jimenez, Paula C. ; Lopes, Luciana B. ; Costa-Lotufo, Leticia V.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PHARMACEUTICS; v. 14, n. 8, p. 28-pg., 2022-08-01.

Abstract

Nature is the largest pharmacy in the world. Doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX) are two examples of natural-product-derived drugs employed as first-line treatment of various cancer types due to their broad mechanisms of action. These drugs are marketed as conventional and nanotechnology-based formulations, which is quite curious since the research and development (R&D) course of nanoformulations are even more expensive and prone to failure than the conventional ones. Nonetheless, nanosystems are cost-effective and represent both novel and safer dosage forms with fewer side effects due to modification of pharmacokinetic properties and tissue targeting. In addition, nanotechnology-based drugs can contribute to dose modulation, reversion of multidrug resistance, and protection from degradation and early clearance; can influence the mechanism of action; and can enable drug administration by alternative routes and co-encapsulation of multiple active agents for combined chemotherapy. In this review, we discuss the contribution of nanotechnology as an enabling technology taking the clinical use of DOX and PTX as examples. We also present other nanoformulations approved for clinical practice containing different anticancer natural-product-derived drugs. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 20/09270-4 - Development of albumin nanoparticles as a vehicle of seriniquinone
• Grantee: Rodrigo dos Anjos Miguel
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 18/13877-1 - Nanocarriers for localized treatment and chemoprevention of breast tumors
• Grantee: Luciana Biagini Lopes
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2
• FAPESP's process: 20/06613-8 - Characterization of seriniquinone mechanism of action in vemurafenibe resistant Melanoma cells
• Grantee: Amanda Soares Hirata
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 15/17177-6 - Integrative approach on the sustainable prospection of marine natural products: from diversity to anticancer compounds
• Grantee: Leticia Veras Costa Lotufo
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants