Novel multifunctional nanocarrier-mediated codelivery for targeting and treatment of prostate cancer

Abstract Recent advancements in nanotechnology provide the opportunity for simultaneous targeting and treatment of prostate cancer (PC). The multifunctional nanocarriers (MNCs) with their special optical and electronic property, larger surface area, possibility of surface modification, and high drug pay load efficiencies can efficiently target tumor cells while limiting unwanted toxicity to healthy cells. At the same time, nanocarriers have the advantages of immune clearance, longer circulation time, and alteration of physiochemical properties of anticancer drugs. The MNCs can be made by biodegradable nanocarriers such as dendrimers, liposomes, polymeric micelles, polyplexes, polymeric nanoparticles, polymer–drug conjugates, and nanotubes. The multiple drug resistance in cancer therapy can be reversed by codelivery of therapeutic agents such as anticancer drugs, antioxidants, siRNA, shRNA, etc. with different mechanism of action coupled with targeted MNCs, as the codelivery approach may provide additive or synergistic therapeutic efficacy and can reduce toxic side effects.