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Polymalic Acid-based Nano Biopolymers for Targeting of Multiple Tumor Markers: An Opportunity for Personalized Medicine?
Published on: June 13, 2014
Bio-Inspired and Smart Nanoparticles for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Microenvironment
Mahsa Keihan Shokooh1, Fakhrossadat Emami2, Jee-Heon Jeong3
1Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran.
Abstract:
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) with poor prognosis and aggressive nature accounts for 10-20% of all invasive breast cancer (BC) cases and is detected in as much as 15% of individuals diagnosed with BC. Currently, due to the absence of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) receptor, there is no hormone-based therapy for TNBC. In addition, there are still no FDA-approved targeted therapies for patients with TNBC. TNBC treatment is challenging owing to poor prognosis, tumor heterogeneity, chemotherapeutic side effects, the chance of metastasis, and multiple drug-resistance. Therefore, various bio-inspired tumor-homing nano systems responding to intra- and extra- cellular stimuli are an urgent need to treat TNBC patients who do not respond to current chemotherapy. In this review, intensive efforts have been made for exploring cell-membrane coated nanoparticles and immune cell-targeted nanoparticles (immunotherapy) to modulate the tumor microenvironment and deliver accurate amounts of therapeutic agents to TNBC without stimulating the immune system.
Insights
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks targeted therapies. This review explores novel bio-inspired nanomedicine, including cell-membrane coated and immune cell-targeted nanoparticles, to improve TNBC treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents 10-20% of invasive breast cancer cases.
- TNBC is characterized by aggressive behavior, poor prognosis, and lack of specific therapeutic targets (ER, PR, HER2).
- Current treatment challenges include tumor heterogeneity, metastasis, drug resistance, and chemotherapy side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in bio-inspired nanomedicine for TNBC treatment.
- To explore the potential of cell-membrane coated nanoparticles and immunotherapy for TNBC.
- To address the urgent need for effective therapies in patients unresponsive to conventional chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on cell-membrane coated nanoparticles.
- Analysis of immune cell-targeted nanoparticles (immunotherapy) for tumor microenvironment modulation.
- Exploration of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery.
Main Results:
- Cell-membrane coated nanoparticles offer potential for improved drug delivery and reduced immunogenicity.
- Immune cell-targeted nanoparticles can modulate the tumor microenvironment and enhance therapeutic efficacy.
- Stimuli-responsive nanocarriers show promise for precise drug release at the tumor site.
Conclusions:
- Novel nanomedicine approaches, including cell-membrane coated and immune cell-targeted nanoparticles, are crucial for advancing TNBC treatment.
- These strategies aim to overcome current therapeutic limitations by enhancing drug delivery and minimizing systemic toxicity.
- Further research into bio-inspired nanocarriers is essential for developing effective therapies for TNBC patients.
