Tumor microenvironment modulation innovates combinative cancer therapy via a versatile graphene oxide nanosystem

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Oncology

Background:

• The tumor microenvironment (TME) presents significant obstacles to effective cancer treatment.
• The TME comprises diverse cellular components, extracellular matrix, and signaling molecules that promote tumor growth and metastasis.
• Graphene oxide (GO) possesses unique properties making it a promising material for cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted interactions between graphene oxide (GO) and the tumor microenvironment (TME).
• To highlight the potential of GO-based strategies for modulating the TME in cancer therapy.
• To explore TME-triggerable drug delivery systems utilizing GO for enhanced oncotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating GO interactions with TME components.
• Analysis of GO' s properties (surface area, structure, electronic-photonic characteristics) relevant to TME modulation.
• Synthesis of findings on GO' s roles in biomolecule trapping, catalysis, cancer stem cell targeting, and immunoreactions within the TME.

Main Results:

• GO can interact with and modulate various dimensions of the TME, including cellular and molecular components.
• GO-based materials show potential for trapping biomolecules, catalyzing reactions, targeting cancer stem cells, and eliciting immunoreactions.
• Combinative therapeutic strategies leveraging GO' s TME interactions offer innovative approaches to overcome treatment resistance.

Conclusions:

• Graphene oxide (GO) nanomaterials offer versatile platforms for interacting with and manipulating the tumor microenvironment (TME).
• Modulating the TME with GO holds significant promise for developing advanced, combinative cancer therapies.
• Further research into GO-based nanomedicines can facilitate more rational and effective oncotherapy strategies.