The progress and perspective of nanoparticle-enabled tumor metastasis treatment

Wei Zhang1, Fei Wang1, Chuan Hu2

  • 1Department of Orthopedics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital & Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Affiliated Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu 610072, China.

Insights

Preventing and treating cancer metastasis is crucial. This review explores nanoparticle-enabled strategies, including targeted drug delivery and immunotherapy, to combat metastatic cancer effectively.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Nanotechnology
  • Drug Delivery

Background:

  • Cancer metastasis poses a significant challenge to patient survival.
  • Limited drug targets exist for effective metastasis treatment.
  • Developing novel strategies to prevent or treat metastasis is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review nanoparticle-enabled strategies for combating cancer metastasis.
  • To summarize current approaches in targeted drug delivery for metastasis.
  • To explore the application of immunotherapy and related techniques in treating metastatic cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of targeting delivery strategies: primary tumor targeting, metastasis targeting, and circulation cell hijacking.
  • Examination of immunotherapy applications for tumor metastasis.
  • Analysis of immune-stimulating strategies: chemotherapy, photothermal, photodynamic, ferroptosis, sonodynamic therapy, and nanovaccines.

Main Results:

  • Targeted drug delivery systems show promise in inhibiting metastasis.
  • Immunotherapy and various physical/chemical stimulation methods can enhance anti-metastasis immune responses.
  • Nanoparticles offer a versatile platform for developing advanced metastasis treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Nanoparticle-enabled approaches hold significant potential for treating cancer metastasis.
  • Further research is needed to overcome challenges and optimize these therapeutic strategies.
  • Integrated strategies combining targeted delivery and immunotherapy are promising for future cancer treatment.