Recent advances in anti-angiogenic nanomedicines for cancer therapy

Angiogenesis is a normal physiological remodeling process initiated at the time of embryonic development and lessened with the progress of time. Nevertheless, continuous activation of stringent signaling pathways and proangiogenic factors during tumorigenesis (a pathological condition) instigates serious vessel abnormalities eliciting severe therapeutic inefficiency. In principle, systemic delivery of robust anti-angiogenic drugs often fails to reach these abnormal tumor vessels depicting poor pharmacokinetics, biodistribution profiles and adverse side effects in vivo. Recently, the advent of nanotechnology has offered numerous advantages encompassing high drug payloads, increased blood half-life and reduced toxicity; likewise, such nanomedicines can also target the key components of the tumor microenvironment and tumor cells effectively. Synergistic targeting of malignant cells and vessel abnormalities via integration of antiangiogenic and other potent combinational regimens in a single nanoplatform can revitalize therapeutic success. In this review, we will discuss the most promising nanotechnological advancements rehabilitating angiogenesis, and emerging nanocarriers comprehending gene delivery, stem cell therapies and dynamic combinational strategies for effective anticancer therapy.