Nano-pharmaceutical formulations for targeted drug delivery against HER2 in breast cancer.

Nanotechnology has revolutionized fundamental opportunities for higher specific drug delivery with minimum side effects. Since its inception, the goal of nanotechnology has been to advance effective and reliable systems for precise anti-cancer therapy and diagnosis. To accomplish this goal, bio-conjugation strategies of therapeutic agents loaded nanoparticles with monoclonal antibodies or their analogues have demonstrated a targeted approach both in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we primarily focus on the specific recognition of HER2 receptors of HER2 overexpressed tumor cells, and evaluate anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody as an effective tool for active targeting. Currently, a variety of nanoparticle systems are under both preclinical and clinical trials for targeting to HER2 positive breast cancer. Different nanotechnology scaffolds including liposomes, dendrimers, micelles, polymeric and inorganic nanoparticles that have higher flexibility for macromolecular synthesis and versatile functionalizing properties have been reviewed in this study. Continuing advances in anti-HER2 functionalized nanoparticles have good potential to lead to the development of nano-therapy against HER2 positive breast cancer.