Tumour-targeted nanomedicines: principles and practice

doi:doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6604483

British Journal of Cancer (2008) 99, 392–397. doi:10.1038/sj.bjc.6604483 www.bjcancer.com
Published online 22 July 2008

Tumour-targeted nanomedicines: principles and practice

T Lammers¹, W E Hennink¹ and G Storm¹

¹Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Sorbonnelaan 16, Utrecht 3584 CA, The Netherlands

Correspondence: Professor G Storm, E-mail: G.Storm@uu.nl

Received 31 March 2008; Accepted 6 June 2008; Published online 22 July 2008.

Top

Abstract

Drug targeting systems are nanometre-sized carrier materials designed for improving the biodistribution of systemically applied (chemo)therapeutics. Various different tumour-targeted nanomedicines have been evaluated over the years, and clear evidence is currently available for substantial improvement of the therapeutic index of anticancer agents. Here, we briefly summarise the most important targeting systems and strategies, and discuss recent advances and future directions in the development of tumour-targeted nanomedicines.