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Design Strategies and Applications of ROS-Responsive Phenylborate Ester-Based Nanomedicine
Ying Liu1, Yiqiong Liu1, Jie Zang1
1Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair, and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital. The Institute for Biomedical Engineering & Nano Science, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, P. R. China.
Abstract:
Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive nanomedicine has been extensively developed to improve the therapeutic effects while reducing the systemic toxicity. ROS, as important biological metabolites and signaling molecules, are known to overexpress in most of tumors and inflammations. Among various ROS-sensitive moieties, phenylborate ester (PBAE) with easy modifiable structure and excellent biocompatibility, represents one of the most ROS-sensitive structures. To harness it as a switch, the past several years had witnessed a booming of ROS-sensitive PBAE-based nanomedicine for various medical purposes. Much of the efforts were devoted to exploiting the potential in the management of antitumor and anti-inflammation. This review first summarizes the design strategies of PBAE in the construction of nanomedicine, with PBAE acting as not only the ROS-responsive unit, but also the roles of hydrophobic backbone or bridging segment in the macromolecular structures. The ROS-responsive mechanisms are then briefly discussed. Afterward, we focus on the introduction of the state-of-the-art research on ROS-responsive PBAE-based nanomedicine for antitumor and anti-inflammation applications. The conclusion and future perspectives of ROS-responsive nanomedicine are also provided.
Insights
Phenylborate ester (PBAE)-based nanomedicine offers a promising strategy for targeted drug delivery. This review highlights PBAE
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Biomaterials Science
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are overexpressed in tumors and inflammatory sites.
- ROS-responsive nanomedicine aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity.
- Phenylborate ester (PBAE) is a highly ROS-sensitive moiety with tunable properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the design strategies of PBAE-based nanomedicine.
- To discuss the ROS-responsive mechanisms utilized in PBAE nanomedicine.
- To summarize recent advancements in PBAE nanomedicine for antitumor and anti-inflammation applications.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on PBAE-based nanomedicine design and applications.
- Analysis of PBAE's role as a ROS-responsive unit, hydrophobic backbone, or bridging segment.
- Discussion of ROS-responsive mechanisms and their exploitation in nanomedicine.
Main Results:
- PBAE can be integrated into nanomedicine structures in various ways (responsive unit, backbone, linker).
- PBAE-based nanomedicine demonstrates significant potential in preclinical studies for cancer and inflammation.
- The ROS-sensitivity of PBAE enables targeted drug release at disease sites.
Conclusions:
- PBAE-based nanomedicine represents a versatile platform for ROS-targeted therapies.
- Further research is needed to translate these findings into clinical applications.
- Future perspectives include optimizing PBAE nanomedicine for enhanced therapeutic outcomes.
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