Lymphatic changes in cancer and drug delivery to the lymphatics in solid tumors.

Abstract

Although many solid tumors use the lymphatic system to metastasize, there are few treatment options that directly target cancer present in the lymphatic system, and those that do are highly invasive, uncomfortable, and/or have limitations. In this review we provide a brief overview of lymphatic function and anatomy, discusses changes that befall the lymphatics in cancer and the mechanisms by which these changes occur, and highlight limitations of lymphatic drug delivery. We then go on to summarize relevant techniques and new research for targeting cancer populations in the lymphatics and enhancing drug delivery intralymphatically, including intralymphatic injections, isolated limb perfusion, passive nano drug delivery systems, and actively targeted nanomedicine.

• Authors: Brianna Cote, Deepa Rao, Raid G Alany, Glen S Kwon, Adam W G Alani
• Journal: Advanced drug delivery reviews (Adv Drug Deliv Rev) Vol. 144 Pg. 16-34 (04 2019) ISSN: 1872-8294 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 31461662 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Animals
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Humans
• Lymphatic Metastasis (drug therapy)
• Lymphatic Vessels (metabolism)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism)