Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
06:40
In Vivo Imaging of Reactive Oxygen Species in a Murine Wound Model
Published on: November 17, 2018
10.7K
ROS-responsive drug delivery systems: Harnessing redox biology for targeted therapies
Urmila Kafle1, Rajan Thapa2, Nisha Panth3
1Department of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 3 Solomont Way, Lowell, MA 01854, United States.
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces
|February 19, 2026
Summary
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are key in disease, offering targets for drug delivery. ROS-responsive nanocarriers enable precise, controlled release, enhancing therapeutic precision and safety.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanomedicine
- Redox Biology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial for cell signaling but implicated in pathologies like cancer and inflammation.
- Dysregulated ROS levels in diseased tissues offer unique biochemical triggers for targeted therapies.
- Exogenous ROS generation provides spatiotemporal control for therapeutic interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in ROS-responsive drug delivery systems.
- To explore the integration of these systems with theranostic capabilities.
- To discuss applications, design considerations, and translational challenges in ROS-triggered therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of ROS-cleavable linker chemistry and nanocarrier design.
- Analysis of theranostic integration for enhanced selectivity and reduced toxicity.
- Examination of applications in oncology, inflammatory disorders, and regenerative medicine.
Main Results:
- ROS-responsive systems leverage specific biochemical cues for targeted drug release.
- Integration with theranostics improves therapeutic selectivity and minimizes systemic side effects.
- Successful applications demonstrated across various disease models, including cancer and ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Conclusions:
- ROS-responsive drug delivery platforms offer enhanced therapeutic precision and safety by exploiting endogenous oxidative stress.
- Key considerations for clinical translation include sensitivity, stability, and scalability.
- Future directions involve patient-specific redox profiling and adaptive delivery systems for improved outcomes.
Keywords:
Reactive oxygen speciesRedox-triggered nanomedicineStimuli-responsive drug deliveryTargeted therapyTheranosticsMore Related Videos
07:47Live Imaging of the Mitochondrial Glutathione Redox State in Primary Neurons using a Ratiometric Indicator
Published on: October 20, 2021
2.5K
05:28Monitoring On-Target Signaling Responses in Larval Zebrafish - Z-REX Unmasks Precise Mechanisms of Electrophilic Drugs and Metabolites
Published on: June 2, 2023
3.1K
Related Concept Videos
01:24Redox Reactions
50.9K
Oxidation-reduction or redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons from one molecule or atom to another. When an atom gains an electron, another atom must lose an electron, meaning oxidation and reduction must occur together. Since the redox occurs in pairs, the atom that gets oxidized is also called the reducing agent or reductant, and the atom that is reduced is also called the oxidizing agent or oxidant. A straightforward way to remember the definitions of oxidation and reduction is...
50.9K
01:23Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Classification
315
Modified-release drug delivery systems improve drug efficacy and minimize side effects by controlling the rate and location of drug release. These systems fall into three categories: rate-programmed, stimuli-activated, and site-targeted.Rate-programmed systems release drugs at a predetermined rate, maintaining consistent therapeutic levels and reducing fluctuations that could lead to toxicity or subtherapeutic effects. These systems use polymeric matrices, reservoir-based designs, or osmotic...
315
01:30Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Stimuli-Activated
177
Stimuli-activated drug delivery systems are designed to release drugs in response to specific physical, chemical, or biological stimuli. These systems often utilize hydrogels—three-dimensional, hydrophilic polymer networks capable of swelling in aqueous environments and retaining significant fluid volumes. Upon exposure to particular stimuli, these hydrogels undergo structural transitions that allow the embedded drug to be released. Due to this adaptive behavior, such systems are also...
177
01:24Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted
164
Site-targeted drug delivery systems enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity and treatment costs. Unlike conventional methods, these systems ensure precise drug delivery, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects. Targeted drug delivery is classified into three levels. First-order targeting directs drugs to the capillary beds of specific organs or tissues. Second-order targets specific cell types, such as tumor cells, using receptor-mediated interactions.
164
01:24Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers
160
Polymeric carriers enhance targeted drug delivery by increasing efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. These carriers comprise a biodegradable polymeric backbone integrated with functional elements that enable targeting, improve physicochemical properties, and regulate drug release.Targeting MechanismsThe targeting ability of polymeric carriers is mediated by a homing device, which is a molecular recognition component designed to selectively bind to specific tissues or cells. Monoclonal...
160
01:27Redox Reactions
1.2K
Redox reactions are vital biochemical processes that underpin energy metabolism in cells. These reactions involve the transfer of electrons between molecules, occurring in tandem as oxidation and reduction. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, while reduction denotes their gain. This coupling ensures the seamless flow of electrons through metabolic pathways. For example, in bacterial metabolism, glucose undergoes oxidation to carbon dioxide, while oxygen is simultaneously reduced to...
1.2K