Stimuli-Responsive Carriers for Delivery of Anticancer Bioactive Agents

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Oncology

Background:

• Selectivity in chemotherapy is crucial for effective cancer treatment, minimizing damage to normal cells.
• Stimulus-sensitive carriers offer a promising approach to enhance drug targeting and reduce side effects.
• Natural and synthetic materials are being explored for developing advanced drug delivery systems (DDSs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in stimulus-sensitive carriers for chemotherapy across various organs.
• To highlight the role of natural and synthetic macromolecules in targeted drug delivery.
• To summarize the current state of knowledge on stimulus-sensitive DDSs in preclinical and clinical trials.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of particle carriers made from lipids, phospholipids, oligopeptides, and synthetic macromolecules.
• Analysis of stimuli-responsive mechanisms including temperature, pH, enzymes, electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound, and redox potential.
• Overview of methods for synthesizing polymers, copolymers, and preparing nano- and microparticles for drug delivery.

Main Results:

• Stimulus-sensitive carriers demonstrate potential for controlled drug release to specific organs like the breast, intestine, and prostate.
• Various DDSs utilizing natural and synthetic materials are progressing through preclinical and clinical trials.
• The review synthesizes current understanding of stimulus-sensitive DDSs for targeted cancer chemotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Stimulus-sensitive carriers represent a significant advancement in chemotherapy, improving selectivity and efficacy.
• Controlled drug delivery systems are vital for overcoming challenges in current cancer treatment protocols.
• Further research and clinical evaluation of these DDSs are essential for their broader application in oncology.