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Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences ›› 2023, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (10): 773-795.DOI: 10.5246/jcps.2023.10.064

• Review •     Next Articles

Sialic acid-functionalized targeted drug delivery systems: advances in tumor and inflammation therapy by binding to Siglecs or selectin receptors

Kai Li1,2,#, Bingjie Tang1,2,#, Xinlong Chai1,2, Yang Ping1,2, Lihong Wang1,2, Jin Su1,2,*()   

  1. 1 College of Pharmacy, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, Heilongjiang, China
    2 Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Pharmacotoxicological Evaluation, Jiamusi 154007, Heilongjiang, China
  • Received:2023-03-07 Revised:2023-03-23 Accepted:2023-05-21 Online:2023-11-04 Published:2023-11-04
  • Contact: Jin Su
  • About author:
    # Kai Li and Bingjie Tang contributed equally to this work.

Abstract:

Targeted drug delivery systems are highly desirable for their ability to release drugs specifically at targeted sites. Among these systems, active targeting is considered the most promising. However, the nanomaterials commonly used for constructing the targeting moiety of multifunctional drug delivery vehicles have several disadvantages that limit their applications, such as low biocompatibility, susceptibility to elimination by the mononuclear phagocyte system, and difficulty in modification. Sialic acid, a natural ligand, is often present as the terminal sugar of glycans on glycoproteins or glycolipids on the cell surface. As an endogenous substance, it is highly biocompatible, has a clear molecular structure, and is easy to chemically modify. Sialic acid-functionalized nanoparticles can carry drugs that target cells expressing receptors (sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin or selectin receptors) for the treatment of diseases. In the present review, we presented current literature on sialic acid-decorated nanoparticle-based targeted drug delivery systems that bind to “sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin or selectin receptors” for therapeutic effects in tumors or inflammation. We also discussed chemical modification strategies for natural sialic acid ligands to improve binding affinity and selectivity to receptors.

Key words: Sialic acid, Targeted drug delivery system, Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin, Selectin, Tumor, Inflammation, Organ damage

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