Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
11:53
Predicting Gene Silencing Through the Spatiotemporal Control of siRNA Release from Photo-responsive Polymeric Nanocarriers
Published on: July 21, 2017
7.7K
Hypoxia-activated prodrugs and redox-responsive nanocarriers
Yun Zeng1, Jingwen Ma2, Yonghua Zhan1
1Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an 710071, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China, jimleung@mail.xidian.edu.cn, xlchen@xidian.edu.cn.
International Journal of Nanomedicine
|November 15, 2018
Summary
Targeting tumor hypoxia, a hallmark of cancer, is crucial for effective cancer therapy. This review details hypoxia-activated prodrugs and redox-responsive nanocarriers for improved cancer treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Tumor hypoxia, characterized by low oxygen levels, drives cancer progression and treatment resistance.
- Hypoxia induces adaptive changes in the tumor microenvironment, making it a key therapeutic target.
- Developing strategies to specifically target hypoxic tumor cells is a significant focus in cancer research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current chemotherapeutic drugs designed to target tumor hypoxia.
- To explore the application of redox-responsive bonds in drug delivery systems for tumor targeting.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of hypoxia-activated prodrugs and redox-responsive nanocarriers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of chemotherapeutic agents targeting hypoxia, including quinones, nitroaromatics, N-oxides, and metal complexes.
- Analysis of drug delivery systems utilizing redox-responsive bonds (e.g., nitroimidazole, azo, disulfide).
- Assessment of the efficacy and clinical status of hypoxia-targeting strategies.
Main Results:
- Several classes of hypoxia-targeting drugs, such as quinones and nitroimidazoles, are under development.
- Redox-responsive elements are effectively incorporated into drug delivery systems to exploit the tumor microenvironment.
- Hypoxia-activated prodrugs show promise in clinical trials, while redox-responsive nanocarriers are in earlier experimental stages.
Conclusions:
- Targeting tumor hypoxia represents a promising avenue for innovative cancer therapies.
- Hypoxia-activated prodrugs offer a clinically relevant approach, demonstrating favorable outcomes.
- Redox-responsive nanocarriers present a developing platform with potential for future cancer treatment applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Prodrugs
4.2K
Prodrugs are a class of pharmaceutical compounds that undergo a biotransformation process within the body to be converted into a pharmacologically active drug. Prodrugs are designed to improve the therapeutic properties of the parent drug, such as enhancing bioavailability, increasing stability, or reducing toxicity. The concept of prodrugs revolves around modifying the chemical structure of the original drug to make it more effective or convenient for administration.
Prodrugs help overcome...
Prodrugs help overcome...
4.2K
02:58Balancing Redox Equations
62.1K
Electrochemistry is the science involved in the interconversion of electrical and chemical reactions. Such reactions are called reduction-oxidation, or redox reactions. These important reactions are defined by changes in oxidation states for one or more reactant elements and include a subset of reactions involving the transfer of electrons between reactant species. Electrochemistry as a field has evolved to yield sufficient insights on the fundamental principles of redox chemistry and multiple...
62.1K
01:24Redox Reactions
58.7K
Oxidation-reduction or redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons from one molecule or atom to another. When an atom gains an electron, another atom must lose an electron, meaning oxidation and reduction must occur together. Since the redox occurs in pairs, the atom that gets oxidized is also called the reducing agent or reductant, and the atom that is reduced is also called the oxidizing agent or oxidant. A straightforward way to remember the definitions of oxidation and reduction is...
58.7K
01:27Redox Reactions
1.0K
Redox reactions are vital biochemical processes that underpin energy metabolism in cells. These reactions involve the transfer of electrons between molecules, occurring in tandem as oxidation and reduction. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction denotes their gain. This coupling ensures the seamless flow of electrons through metabolic pathways. For example, in bacterial metabolism, glucose undergoes oxidation to carbon dioxide, while oxygen is simultaneously reduced to...
1.0K
01:23Hypoxia
2.1K
Hypoxia is a medical condition characterized by an inadequate oxygen supply to body tissues. It typically manifests as a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucosae, especially in fair-skinned individuals, when hemoglobin (Hb) saturation drops below 75%.
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...
2.1K
01:23Redox Equilibria: Overview
1.6K
A reduction-oxidation reaction is commonly called a redox reaction. In a redox reaction, electrons are transferred from one species to another rather than being shared between or among atoms. The reducing agent or reductant is the species that loses electrons and gets oxidized in the process. The species that gains electrons and gets reduced in the process is the oxidizing agent or oxidant. Redox reactions are represented as two separate equations called half-reactions, where one equation...
1.6K