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Stimuli-Responsive Nano-Architecture Drug-Delivery Systems to Solid Tumor Micromilieu: Past, Present, and Future
Hossam S El-Sawy1, Ahmed M Al-Abd2,3, Tarek A Ahmed4,5
1Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy , Egyptian Russian University , Badr City , Cairo 63514 , Egypt.
Abstract:
The microenvironment characteristics of solid tumors, renowned as barriers that harshly impeded many drug-delivery approaches, were precisely studied, investigated, categorized, divided, and subdivided into a complex diverse of barriers. These categories were further studied with a particular perspective, which makes all barriers found in solid-tumor micromilieu turn into different types of stimuli, and were considered triggers that can increase and hasten drug-release targeting efficacy. This review gathers data concerning the nature of solid-tumor micromilieu. Past research focused on the treatment of such tumors, the recent efforts employed for engineering smart nanoarchitectures with the utilization of the specified stimuli categories, the possibility of combining more than one stimuli for much-greater targeting enhancement, examples of the approved nanoarchitectures that already translated clinically as well as the obstacles faced by the use of these nanostructures, and, finally, an overview of the possible future implementations of smart-chemical engineering for the design of more-efficient drug delivery and theranostic systems and for making nanosystems with a much-higher level of specificity and penetrability features.
Insights
Solid tumor microenvironments present unique drug delivery challenges. This review explores how tumor barriers can be engineered as stimuli to enhance targeted drug release and improve therapeutic efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Solid tumor microenvironments pose significant barriers to conventional drug delivery systems.
- Understanding these barriers is crucial for developing effective cancer therapies.
- Previous research has focused on overcoming these impediments through various strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characteristics of the solid tumor microenvironment.
- To explore the potential of using tumor microenvironment stimuli to enhance drug targeting.
- To discuss the engineering of smart nanoarchitectures for improved drug delivery.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of solid tumor microenvironment characteristics.
- Analysis of stimuli-responsive nanoarchitectures for drug delivery.
- Examination of clinical translation and obstacles of nanostructures.
- Overview of future directions in smart chemical engineering for nanomedicine.
Main Results:
- Tumor microenvironment barriers can be re-envisioned as stimuli for targeted drug release.
- Smart nanoarchitectures utilizing these stimuli show promise for enhanced efficacy.
- Combination of multiple stimuli can further improve targeting precision.
- Several nanoarchitectures have achieved clinical translation, despite facing obstacles.
Conclusions:
- Engineering nanoarchitectures responsive to tumor microenvironment stimuli offers a promising strategy for targeted cancer therapy.
- Further development in smart chemical engineering is needed for more efficient and specific drug delivery and theranostic systems.
- Overcoming obstacles in nanostructure application is key for successful clinical implementation.
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