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The Tumor Microenvironment

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...

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Author Spotlight: Optimization of Ultrashort Peptide Matrices for Colorectal Cancer Organoids

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Tumor microenvironment-oriented adaptive nanodrugs based on peptide self-assembly.

Shukun Li^1,2, Wenjia Zhang³, Huadan Xue³

¹State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100190 China rrxing@ipe.ac.cn yanxh@ipe.ac.cn http://www.yan-assembly.org/.

Chemical Science

|June 14, 2021

Summary

Peptide self-assembly creates smart nanodrugs that adapt to the tumor microenvironment (TME). These adaptive nanomedicines improve drug delivery and enhance cancer therapy outcomes.

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Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Nanotechnology
Oncology

Background:

Tumor cells create a unique microenvironment (TME) with acidic pH, high glutathione (GSH), and enzyme overexpression, promoting tumor growth.
Peptide self-assembly offers a versatile, biofriendly strategy for fabricating tailored nanostructures via noncovalent interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

To review peptide-modulated self-assembly for tumor microenvironment-oriented adaptive therapies.
To highlight the role of adaptive peptide assemblies in improving therapeutic index for cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

Focus on peptide self-assembly of photosensitizers, chemotherapeutics, and immunoactive agents.
Emphasis on building block design and intermolecular interactions.
Analysis of adaptive structural transformation within the TME and therapeutic efficacy.

Main Results:

Peptide-based nanodrugs can be targeted or switched by TME parameters, enhancing bioavailability.
Adaptive assemblies demonstrate potential for improved phototherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and combinatorial treatments.
Peptide self-assembly is critical for optimizing therapeutic outcomes in cancer.

Conclusions:

Peptide-modulated, TME-oriented adaptive assemblies are crucial for enhancing the therapeutic index.
Further development and clinical application of these materials and techniques are promising for advanced tumor therapies.
Challenges and opportunities exist in translating these advanced nanomedicines into clinical practice.