This review outlines major cancer targeting strategies for nanoparticle
systems. Targeted therapies have superiority over conventional chemotherapy or
radiotherapy methods. Nanoparticles as drug nanocarriers enable drug delivery to the
tumoral regions. For targeted drug delivery, nanoparticles are designed and tailored
depending on the cancer and the purpose of the targeting mechanism. In this review,
nanoparticle targeting for cancer therapy was summarized into three sections: passive,
active, and physical targeting. Each issue was described and discussed with recent
nanoparticular studies and their findings. In addition, a combination of targeting with
diagnostics and theranostics was also presented.
Keywords: Active targeting, Antibody targeted delivery, Aptamer targeted delivery, Cancer, Cancer electrotherapy mediated drug delivery, Drug delivery systems, Epr effect, Lectin targeted delivery, Magnetic targeted delivery, Nanomedicine, Nanoparticle, Nir-triggered drug delivery, Passive targeting, Physical targeting, Receptor targeted delivery, Stimuli responsive nanoparticle, Targeted nanoparticle, Theranostic, Thermoliposome, Ultrasound sensitive/ mediated drug delivery.
