Chemotherapy with anticancer drugs encapsulated in solid lipid nanoparticles

The prospect of improved cancer chemotherapy using solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as a drug delivery system is promising. Several obstacles frequently encountered with anticancer compounds, such as normal tissue toxicity, poor specificity and stability and a high incidence of drug-resistant tumor cells, are at least partially overcome by delivering them using SLN. The emergence of the newer forms of SLN such as polymer–lipid hybrid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and long-circulating SLN may further expand the role of this versatile drug carrier in cancer treatment. This review focuses on the current use of SLN for the encapsulation and delivery of cytotoxic anticancer compounds. It also discusses more recent trends in the use of SLN as vehicles for delivery of chemosensitizers and cytotoxic therapeutic molecules. It is anticipated that, in the near future, SLN will be further improved to deliver anticancer compounds in a more efficient, specific and safer manner.