The two techniques of targeting cancer tumor cells using nanoparticles are active targeting and passive targeting, for delivery of anticancer agents. Know More from Aranca!

1. Mechanism of Targeting Tumor Cells Using Nanoparticles
With an ability to enter tissues at the molecular level, nanoparticles have promising applications in
diagnostic and therapeutic systems for cancer. Over the past several decades, the development and
application of engineered nanoparticles to more effectively treat cancer have witnessed significant
advancements.
Nanoparticles provide a new platform for cancer diagnostics and therapy, serving as a carrier for entry
through fenestrations in tumour vasculature, allowing direct cell access.
Modified nanoparticles allow binding to cancer cell membranes, microenvironment, cytoplasmic or
nuclear receptor sites. This initiates the delivery of high drug concentrations to the targeted cancer cell
with reduced toxicity of normal tissues.
Over the past several decades, the development and application of engineered nanoparticles to more
effectively treat cancer have witnessed significant advancements.
Nanoparticles target tumour cells in two ways: active and passive.
 Passive Targeting: This term refers to the accumulation of the drug in areas around the tumour
with leaky vasculature; it also known as the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect.
 Active Targeting: This term refers to specific interactions between the drug/drug carrier and
target cells, usually through specific ligand receptor interactions or antibody-antigen recognition,
for intracellular localisation of the drug.

2. The EPR effect — a unique characteristic of tumour cells — enables targeted delivery of anticancer agents.
Passive targeting is based primarily on size; the nanoparticle surface may be modified with several ligands
that would interact with specific receptors over-expressed on the surface of the tumour cells, thus
imparting specificity for active targeting.
For more information about the use of Nanoparticles and their applications in cancer treatment, check out
our report on Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Treatment.
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