Biochemical hallmarks-targeting antineoplastic nanotherapeutics

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Tumor microenvironments (TMEs) significantly influence cancer progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.
• Nanotechnology advancements enable the development of nanomedicines targeting TME-specific characteristics.
• Aberrant TME hallmarks include acidosis, hypoxia, and dysregulated metabolism, presenting therapeutic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of TMEs in cancer.
• To discuss nanotechnology-based strategies for TME modulation.
• To explore challenges and future directions for nanotherapeutics in TME modulation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of TME characteristics and nanotherapeutic strategies.
• Analysis of TME-responsive nanomedicine design and fabrication.
• Discussion of biochemical TME modulation (acidosis, hypoxia, metabolism).

Main Results:

• Nanotherapeutics can be designed for active targeting and TME-responsiveness.
• Nanomedicines can overcome biological barriers and enhance therapeutic outcomes.
• Modulating biochemical TME factors offers promising anti-cancer strategies.

Conclusions:

• Smart anti-cancer nanotherapeutics hold potential for TME modulation.
• Combination therapies involving nanotherapeutics and traditional treatments are key for clinical translation.
• Further research is needed to address challenges in nanotherapeutic development for TME targeting.