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Updated: Aug 10, 2025

Fabrication of Spherical and Worm-shaped Micellar Nanocrystals by Combining Electrospray, Self-assembly, and Solvent-based Structure Control
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Recent Advances in Supramolecular-Macrocycle-Based Nanomaterials in Cancer Treatment

Zheng Pan1,2, Xinzhi Zhao1,2, Qiushi Li1,2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials (Ministry of Education), College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.

Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 11, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Supramolecular chemistry utilizes host-guest interactions for advanced cancer therapy. This review explores macrocyclic molecules and stimulus-responsive systems for targeted drug delivery, improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical applications
  • Supramolecular chemistry
  • Nanomaterials

Background:

  • Cancer remains a significant global health challenge.
  • Current cancer therapies like chemotherapy have limitations.
  • Supramolecular chemistry offers novel approaches for enhanced drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review macrocyclic molecules and stimulus-responsive strategies for controlled drug release.
  • To discuss the application of supramolecular-macrocycle-based nanomaterials in cancer therapy.
  • To highlight existing challenges and future prospects in this field.

Main Methods:

  • Review of major macrocyclic molecules.
  • Analysis of stimulus-response strategies for controlled release.
  • Compilation of applications in cancer therapy.

Main Results:

  • Supramolecular chemistry provides tools for targeted drug delivery.
  • Stimulus-responsive systems enable precise therapeutic agent release.
  • Macrocycle-based nanomaterials show promise in cancer treatment.

Conclusions:

  • Supramolecular chemistry is a promising avenue for improving cancer therapeutics.
  • Controlled release systems are key to enhancing treatment efficacy.
  • Further research is needed to overcome current challenges and realize the full potential of these nanomaterials.
Keywords:
cancerhost–guest interactionsmacrocyclesnanomaterialssupramolecular chemistry

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