Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and is widely used in anticancer drug delivery. It is biocompatible

biodegradable

non-toxic

non-immunogenic and rich of carboxyl

hydroxyl function groups. Moreover

cancer cells have increased number of HA receptors in contrast to normal cells. Thus

the antitumor drug delivery system prepared with hyaluronic acid has active targeting for the high CD44-expressing tumor cells. In this paper

the research progress of antitumor drug carriers based on hyaluronic acid was summarized in the field of prodrugs

organic carrier materials (micelles

liposomes

nanoparticles

microbubbles

hydrogels

etc.)

and inorganic composite carrier materials (nano gold

quantum dots

carbon nanotubes

silicon dioxide

etc.).