Vincristine-loaded PLGA Nanoparticles as a Novel Drug-Delivery System for Enhanced Anticancer Therapy in Leukemia: A Structured Review

Vincristine (VCR), a vinca alkaloid chemotherapeutic agent, is extensively used in the treatment of lymphoid leukemias and lymphomas. However, its therapeutic effectiveness is limited by rapid systemic clearance, P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated drug efflux, and dose-dependent neurotoxicity. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a promising biodegradable and tunable drug-delivery platform for addressing these limitations. Encapsulation of VCR within PLGA NPs can enhance drug solubility and stability, prolong its circulation time, and provide controlled and sustained drug release. Furthermore, these nanoparticles can facilitate the co-delivery of chemosensitizing agents and targeting ligands, potentially improving therapeutic selectivity. Preclinical investigations of VCR-loaded PLGA NPs have reported improved drug entrapment, sustained release profiles, enhanced intracellular drug delivery, and the potential to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) in P-gp-overexpressing cancer models. In addition, recent advances in nanomedicine for hematological malignancies highlight PLGA-based systems as promising polymeric carriers for the targeted treatment of leukemia and lymphoma. Therefore, this review focuses on the pharmacological profile of VCR, formulation approaches for VCR-loaded PLGA nanoparticles, their potential advantages and limitations, and the underlying mechanisms that may contribute to enhanced antileukemic activity.