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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
Summary
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.
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