Promoting Inter-/Intra- Cellular Process of Nanomedicine through its Physicochemical Properties Optimization

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Oncology

Background:

• Nanomedicine offers an alternative to traditional chemotherapy by utilizing nanoparticles (1-200 nm) for cancer treatment.
• A gap exists between in vitro nanomedicine properties and cellular-level performance in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of nanomedicine physicochemical properties on cellular endocytosis and intracellular trafficking.
• To discuss strategies for optimizing nanomedicine for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on nanomedicine-cell interactions.
• Analysis of how size, shape, surface chemistry, and topology influence cellular uptake.
• Examination of intracellular conditions affecting nanomedicine fate.

Main Results:

• Nanomedicine's endocytosis pathway and efficiency are influenced by its size, structure, and surface properties, differing from small molecular agents.
• Intracellular conditions significantly affect the intracellular route and processing of nanomedicine.

Conclusions:

• Nanomedicine internalization pathways vary with size.
• Physicochemical properties dictate nanomedicine sensitivity to intracellular conditions, impacting cellular metabolism.
• Engineered nanocarriers can overcome cellular-level challenges to advance cancer therapy.