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Stimuli-responsive nanoscale drug delivery systems for cancer therapy

Li Li1,2, Wu-Wei Yang1, Dong-Gang Xu2

  • 1a Department of Oncology Minimally Invasive , Hospital of PLA, Clinical College of Anhui Medical University , Beijing , PR China.

Journal of Drug Targeting
|September 4, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems (DDSs) using nanocarriers offer targeted tumor treatment. These advanced DDSs improve efficacy and reduce side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.

Area of Science:

  • Nanotechnology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Conventional chemotherapy faces limitations including systemic toxicity, short drug half-life, and low tumor site concentration.
  • Novel nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems (DDSs) are crucial for advancing tumor treatment.
  • Stimuli-responsive DDSs offer targeted drug delivery to tumor sites, overcoming conventional drug limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the research and development of novel stimuli-responsive DDSs for tumor treatment.
  • To discuss the classification and applications of nanomaterials in stimuli-responsive DDSs.
  • To highlight the clinical potential of these advanced drug delivery systems.

Main Methods:

  • Categorization of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials based on physicochemical properties and structure.
  • Review of endogenous stimuli-responsive materials (pH, enzyme, redox).
  • Review of exogenous stimuli-responsive materials (temperature, light, ultrasound, magnetic field) and multi-stimuli responsive materials.

Main Results:

  • Stimuli-responsive DDSs enable controlled drug release through precise responses to internal or external stimuli.
  • These systems enhance therapeutic effects by increasing drug concentration at tumor sites.
  • Reduced damage to normal tissues and organs, and fewer side effects are achieved.

Conclusions:

  • Stimuli-responsive DDSs represent a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapy.
  • Nanomaterials are key components in developing effective stimuli-responsive DDSs.
  • Further research and clinical applications of these DDSs hold great promise for improving patient outcomes.
Keywords:
Drug deliverycancer therapycontrolled releasedrug targetingnanomaterialstimuli-responsive

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