Enzyme-responsive design combined with photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment
Siying Zhi1, Meixin Huang1, Kui Cheng1
1Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening and NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Abstract:
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive cancer treatment that has garnered significant attention in recent years. However, its application is still hampered by certain limitations, such as the hydrophobicity and low targeting of photosensitizers (PSs) and the hypoxia of the tumor microenvironment. Nevertheless, the fusion of enzyme-responsive drugs with PDT offers novel solutions to overcome these challenges. Utilizing the attributes of enzyme-responsive drugs, PDT can deliver PSs to the target site and selectively release them, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we spotlight recent advances in enzyme-responsive materials for cancer treatment and primarily delineate their application in combination with PDT.
Insights
Enzyme-responsive drugs combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) offer new ways to improve cancer treatment by overcoming issues like poor drug targeting and tumor hypoxia.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising non-invasive cancer treatment.
- Current PDT limitations include photosensitizer (PS) hydrophobicity, poor targeting, and tumor hypoxia.
- Enzyme-responsive drugs present a novel strategy to address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in enzyme-responsive materials for cancer therapy.
- To highlight the synergistic application of enzyme-responsive drugs with PDT.
- To discuss how these combinations enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of enzyme-responsive materials and their integration with PDT.
- Analysis of strategies for targeted delivery and selective drug release.
- Examination of studies demonstrating improved outcomes in preclinical models.
Main Results:
- Enzyme-responsive systems enable targeted delivery of photosensitizers (PSs).
- Selective drug release at the tumor site enhances therapeutic effects.
- Combination therapy overcomes limitations of traditional PDT and improves tumor microenvironment conditions.
Conclusions:
- Enzyme-responsive materials offer significant potential to advance PDT for cancer treatment.
- Targeted delivery and controlled release are key benefits for enhanced efficacy.
- This approach holds promise for more effective and less toxic cancer therapies.
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