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Anticancer nanomedicines harnessing tumor microenvironmental components

Yinggang Li1, Zhonglan Chen1,2, Lei Gu1

  • 1Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Department of Cardiology, Department of Radiology, Huaxi Mr Research Center (HMRRC), National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
|March 4, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Harnessing the tumor microenvironment (TME) offers a promising strategy for developing advanced nanomedicines. These intelligent nanomedicines enhance cancer therapy efficacy and reduce side effects by targeting the TME

Area of Science:

  • Nanomedicine
  • Cancer Therapy
  • Tumor Microenvironment (TME)

Background:

  • Small-molecule drugs in cancer therapy suffer from nonspecific distribution and side effects.
  • Nanomedicines offer a strategy to improve drug delivery and reduce toxicity.
  • Exploiting the unique characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a key approach for advanced nanomedicine design.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in nanomedicines designed to harness the TME.
  • To illustrate the principles and advantages of different TME-harnessing nanomedicine strategies.
  • To discuss challenges and prospects for developing effective and safe anticancer nanomedicines.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on nanomedicines utilizing the TME.
  • Classification of TME-responsive nanomedicines into extracellular factor-responsive and cellular component-targeting groups.
  • Analysis of design principles and advantages of various nanomedicine strategies.

Main Results:

  • Nanomedicines can be designed to respond to specific TME factors (e.g., low pH, hypoxia, redox potential).
  • Strategies include targeting cell-specific antibodies or exploiting physicochemical properties of the TME.
  • These approaches enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce off-target side effects of cancer drugs.

Conclusions:

  • Harnessing the TME is a significant strategy for developing next-generation nanomedicines.
  • Intelligent nanomedicine design based on TME characteristics improves anticancer treatment.
  • Further research and clinical translation are needed to realize the full potential of TME-based nanomedicines.
Keywords:
Nanomedicinestimuli-responsive drug delivery systemstumor immunosuppressive microenvironmenttumor microenvironment

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