• New insights in Prostate Cancer Treatment : Targeted Drug Delivery systems and Nano lipids
  • Sara mehri,1 Mostafa Shourian,2,* Nasim reihani,3
    1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
    2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran


  • Introduction: Prostate cancer (PC) is expected to be the second most common cancer in males and is a significant health concern, especially among elderly patients. Based on the heterogenic manner of the disease, there is a substantial need to develop new therapeutic options to overcome the limitation in specificity of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs and for the early detection of precancerous cells in prostate cancer. Nano-lipids (NLs) have become influential in targeted drug delivery systems and cancer treatment. One step ahead, innovations in NL engineering are accomplished by modifying their surface to improve their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Surface-modified NLs have shown a remarkable ability to improve diagnosing and treating protocols, especially when it leads to the targeted administration of anticancer medications. Surface modifications have been designed to allowance new properties and functions, such as hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, surface charge properties, roughness, adhesion, or adding optical and magnetic properties, to the surface of materials together in a controlled way to enable programmed drug release over time.
  • Methods: In this review, we attempted to comprehensively study the mechanisms of how PC cells exhibit resistance to chemotherapy, radiation, and ADT (androgen-deprivation therapy) because of activating tumor-endorsing signaling pathways. Herein, we elucidate current developments of Nanotechnology in drug delivery systems and advancements of NL surface modification, their synthesis methods, and how these modifications enhance the specificity and efficacy of drug delivery, decrease systemic toxicity, and overcome multi-drug resistance.
  • Results: Modifying NL surfaces improves their biocompatibility and reduces their toxicity, enhancing treatments and positively impacting the quality of life. Potential future applications include combination therapies and controlled release profiles, and increased production offers the potential for more effective and widespread treatments for prostate cancer.
  • Conclusion: Continuing research and investigation are crucial for improving the treatment methods of PC. This can be achieved through the development of surface-modified NLs. It is important to keep studying NL design, surface modifications, and targeted delivery systems to enhance effectiveness, minimize side effects, and improve patient outcomes. By collaborating with researchers, physicians, and the industry, we can swiftly implement these advancements in clinical practice and effectively address the significant challenges of this disease.
  • Keywords: Nano-lipids, Drug delivery, Prostate cancer, surface modification