Abstract

HYALURONIC ACID- DRIVEN NANOMEDICINE: ENHANCING PRECISION IN CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY

Aditya Santosh Ambi*, Swati Rawat, Pravin Wakte and Sachin Bhusari

ABSTRACT

Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based drug nanocarriers have shown significant potential in cancer chemotherapy due to their ability to specifically target CD44 receptors, which are commonly overexpressed in various cancer cells. These nanocarriers enhance drug solubility and bioavailability while ensuring targeted drug delivery, thereby reducing systemic toxicity and minimizing the side effects of conventional chemotherapy. HA’s natural properties, including its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high affinity for CD44 receptors, make it an ideal choice for developing drug delivery systems. This review delves into the mechanisms of HA-based nanocarriers, focusing on CD44-mediated targeting and the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, both of which facilitate the direct delivery of chemotherapy drugs to tumors. HA-based systems have successfully delivered a range of chemotherapeutic agents, yielding significant improvements in treating breast, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. However, there are still challenges, including variations in CD44 expression, complex tumor microenvironments, potential immunogenicity, and difficulties in large-scale production. Advances in nanotechnology, such as the development of stimuli-responsive systems, combination therapies, and personalized medicine, could overcome these hurdles and improve the clinical success of HA-based drug delivery systems. In conclusion, HA-based nanocarriers offer considerable promise for transforming cancer chemotherapy by providing more targeted, efficient, and personalized treatments. Nonetheless, further research is necessary to address the existing challenges and fully unlock the potential of these advanced drug-delivery technologies.

Keywords: Hyaluronic acid, CD44 receptors, nanocarriers, cancer chemotherapy, drug delivery, enhanced permeability and retention effect, stimuli-responsive systems.