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Enzyme-responsive smart nanocarriers for targeted chemotherapy: an overview
Hiral Kapalatiya1, Yamini Madav1, Varunesh Sanjay Tambe1
1Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy & Technology Management, SVKMs NMIMS, V.L. Mehta Road, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400056, India.
Drug Delivery and Translational Research
|July 12, 2021
Summary
Enzyme-responsive nanocarriers offer targeted anticancer drug delivery by utilizing cancer-specific enzymes for controlled drug release. This approach enhances therapeutic efficacy and minimizes side effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Nanocarriers are crucial in biomedical applications, especially for anticancer therapy.
- Enzyme-responsive drug delivery systems enable site-specific drug release and improved therapeutic outcomes.
- Abnormal enzyme expression in cancer presents opportunities for targeted nanocarrier design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review enzyme-responsive nanocarriers for targeted anticancer drug delivery.
- To summarize key enzymes involved in cancer and their roles in drug delivery.
- To discuss various nanocarrier platforms suitable for enzyme-responsive formulations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of enzyme-responsive nanocarriers in cancer therapy.
- Summary of enzymes (hydrolases, lipases, oxidoreductases) critical in cancer.
- Discussion of nanocarrier platforms (mesoporous silica, gold nanoparticles, etc.) and enzyme-labile linkages.
Main Results:
- Enzyme-responsive nanocarriers facilitate on-demand drug release through enzymatic degradation or altered carrier properties.
- Targeting enzymes overexpressed in cancer enables precise drug delivery.
- Various nanocarrier systems can be engineered with enzyme-labile linkages for controlled release.
Conclusions:
- Enzyme-responsive nanocarriers represent a promising strategy for advanced anticancer drug delivery.
- The biorecognition and catalytic properties of enzymes are key to designing effective nanocarriers.
- Smart nanocarriers offer versatile platforms for developing targeted and efficient cancer therapeutics.
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