Nanotechnology-based combination therapy for overcoming multidrug-resistant cancer

Summary of articles published on “combination therapy of cancer” (A) and “nanotechnology-mediated combination therapy of cancer” (B). We summarized the retrieval number of the articles in the “Web of Science” database from 1947 to 2016 with the search terms “combination therapy and cancer” and 2007 to 2016 with the search terms “nano* and combination therapy and cancer”.

Ratio controlled delivery of sunitinib and curcumin by BSA-stabilized SPIOs. (A) Preparation scheme of the BSA-stabilized SPIOs and subsequent encapsulation of sunitinib and curcumin (SPIO-SC). (B) Sunitinib distribution in the major organs. (C) Distribution of curcumin in the major organs. (D) Combination index (CI) value of sunitinib and curcumin at different Sun/Cur ratios. CI > 1, antagonistic effect; CI = 1, additivity; CI < 1, synergistic effect. (E) Dynamic variation of the SunCur ratio in the tumor over time post administration. (F) Increased drug retention of SPIO-SC in the tumor compared with SunCur. Reprinted with permission from Ref. 32.

Codelivery DOX and lapatinib (LAPA) by polymer-based micelles. (A) Scheme of codelivery DOX and LAPA by polymer-based micelles in treating resistant breast tumor. (B) Improved therapeutic efficacy of coadministration of DOX micelles and LAPA micelles in xenograft MCF-7/ADR tumor-bearing mice model, and (C) the tumor images. Reprinted with permission from Ref. 69.

Cell-penetrating AVPIR8/p53 DNA nanocomplex as adjuvant therapy of cytotoxic agent DOX to overcome drug-resistant breast cancer. (A) Scheme of the cell-penetrating AVPIR8/p53 DNA nanocomplex combined with DOX to overcome MDR. (B) Improved therapy effect and reduced side effect of the cell-penetrating AVPIR8/p53 DNA nanocomplex with DOX. Reprinted with permission from Ref. 86.