Drug targeting by surface cationization

Cationization of drug products and carriers involves a direct modification or attachment of conveying or accompanying components, either of which caus e a charge modification. Cationization of macromolecules such as proteins a nd nucleotides and particulate drug carriers generally enhances their cellu lar uptake by endocytosis. The most common use of cationization today is in gene delivery. This is undertaken by either employing cationic polymers or entraping nucleotides in cationic carriers such as cationic liposomes. Cat ionized delivery systems are also used to overcome biological barriers and are suggested for drug targeting, in a nonspecific manner, to a variety of body organs, including brain, eyes, nose, and inflamed intestinal epitheliu m. Protein cationization is also suggested both for tumor immunotherapy and as a diagnostic tool in cancer therapy. Cationization has proven itself to be a straightforward tool for targeting to cells, tissues, and selected or gans. This article reviews the extensive range of applications of cationiza tion for improving drug and gene delivery and summarizes major technologies employed for that purpose.