Nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategies targeting major clinical challenges in pancreatic cancer treatment
Mubin Tarannum1, Juan L Vivero-Escoto2
1Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA; Nanoscale Science Program, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
Abstract:
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers due to its aggressiveness and the challenges for early diagnosis and treatment. Recently, nanotechnology has demonstrated relevant strategies to overcome some of the major clinical issues in the treatment of PDAC. This review is focused on the pathological hallmarks of PDAC and the impact of nanotechnology to find solutions. It describes the use of nanoparticle-based systems designed for the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents and combinatorial alternatives that address the chemoresistance associated with PDAC, the development of combination therapies targeting the molecular heterogeneity in PDAC, the investigation of novel therapies dealing with the improvement of immunotherapy and handling the desmoplastic stroma in PDAC by remodeling the tumor microenvironment. A special section is dedicated to the design of nanoparticles for unique non-traditional modalities that could be promising in the future for the improvement in the dismal prognosis of PDAC.
Insights
Nanotechnology offers new solutions for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) treatment by overcoming chemoresistance and improving therapies. This review explores nanoparticle applications for PDAC, enhancing immunotherapy and tumor microenvironment remodeling.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanomedicine
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment due to its aggressive nature.
- Existing treatments for PDAC are often limited by chemoresistance and tumor heterogeneity.
- Nanotechnology presents promising strategies to address these clinical hurdles in PDAC management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathological hallmarks of PDAC and the role of nanotechnology in developing innovative therapeutic solutions.
- To explore nanoparticle-based systems for enhanced drug delivery and overcoming chemoresistance in PDAC.
- To discuss advancements in combination therapies, immunotherapy, and tumor microenvironment modulation using nanotechnology for PDAC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focused on nanotechnology applications in PDAC research.
- Analysis of nanoparticle-based systems for chemotherapeutic delivery and combinatorial approaches.
- Examination of strategies for targeting molecular heterogeneity, enhancing immunotherapy, and remodeling the tumor microenvironment in PDAC.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticle systems show potential in delivering chemotherapeutic agents more effectively for PDAC.
- Combinatorial therapies utilizing nanotechnology can address chemoresistance and molecular heterogeneity.
- Nanotechnology aids in improving immunotherapy efficacy and remodeling the desmoplastic stroma of PDAC.
Conclusions:
- Nanotechnology offers versatile strategies to overcome major clinical challenges in PDAC treatment.
- Future applications of nanotechnology in PDAC include novel non-traditional therapeutic modalities.
- Targeted nanoparticle delivery and combination therapies hold promise for improving the prognosis of PDAC.
