journal article·2026-04-22Open access

Tumor-Targeted Delivery Therapy Based on PLGA Nanoparticles

Fang Wu, Yuan Gao, Yongjie Chi, Danyang Wang, Siqi Zhang, Ocean Cheung, Kai Zhao, Hongsheng Lu, Qi Chen, Yu Chen, Lianyan Wang, Yanhua Zhu

Abstract

Poly(lactic acid-lactic acid) (PLGA) has demonstrated significant application potential in tumor-targeted drug delivery systems due to its excellent biocompatibility, degradability, and multifunctionality for loading various therapeutic agents. PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) can achieve targeted delivery to tumor cells through specific surface modifications and stimulus-responsive release mechanisms, significantly enhancing drug accumulation efficiency at tumor sites while reducing toxic side effects on normal tissues. This review systematically summarizes the fundamental physicochemical properties of PLGA materials and recent advances in tumor-targeting strategies for PLGA NPs. It comprehensively elucidates research breakthroughs in PLGA-based delivery systems regarding stimulus-response mechanisms, passive targeting, active targeting, and tumor combination immunotherapy, while revealing the intrinsic logic of synergistic strategies for enhancing targeting efficiency. Finally, from the perspective of clinical translation and individualized oncology, this review conducts an in-depth assessment of the current challenges and looks forward to future research directions, aiming to provide forward-looking guidance for the development of precision nanomedicine.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery · Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics · Graphene and Nanomaterials Applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China

Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China

University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China

Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science &Technology, Northeast Forestry University, Ministry of Education, Harbin 150040, China

The Ångström Laboratory, Nanotechnology and Functional Materials Division, Department of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Box 534, SE-751 21 Uppsala, Sweden

Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Biomass Resources Development and Utilization, Taizhou Key Laboratory of Biomedicine and Advanced Dosage Forms, School of Life Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China

Funding

Beijing Natural Science Foundation · Industrial Key Science and Technology Program in Taizhou · GuoTai (Taizhou) Center of Technology Innovation for Veterinary Biologicals Program · National Natural Science Foundation of China

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