Research Progress of Hyaluronic Acid-Coated Nanocarriers in Targeted Cancer Therapy

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA), as a critical ingredient of extracellular matrix (ECM) and synovial fluid, has attracted extensive attention in targeted tumor thearpy. The superiority of HA is reflected as its great biocompatibility, biodegradability and special binding ability to CD44 receptor. Moreover, CD44 receptor proteins are overexpressed in many kinds of tumor cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs). Therefore, HA is commonly used as ligands for the surface modification of versatile nanocarriers applied in various tumor therapy approaches. Methods: We reviewed the literature and summarized the unique properties of HA, the rationale for the use of HA as tumor-specific carrier for drug delivery, catabolism of HA coated nanocarriers, and research achievements of frequently-used HA-modified organic and inorganic nanocarries. Results: We concluded the significant applications of HA coated nanocarriers in tumor chemotherapy and chemoresistance, combination therapy and cancer theranostics. Conclusion: The application prospect of HA-coated nanocarriers will be more extensive for various targeting combination therapy and theranostics.