Tumor microenvironment-responsive nanoparticles for cancer theragnostic applications

• Published in: Biomaterials research Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 22 - 11
• Main Authors: Uthaman, Saji, Huh, Kang Moo, Park, In-Kyu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 23.08.2018; BioMed Central Ltd; American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); 한국생체재료학회
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Brain cancer; Cancer; Cancer therapies; Care and treatment; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemotherapy; Diagnosis; Drugs; Enzymes; Hypoxia; Intermediates; Ligands; Materials Science; Microenvironments; Nanomedicine; Nanoparticle; Nanoparticles; Patient outcomes; Physiology; Radiation therapy; Redox; Review; Smart Polymers for Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering; Solid tumors; Surgery; Tumor microenvironment; Tumors; 의공학; pH; Redox; Hypoxia; Tumor microenvironment; Nanoparticle; Cancer
• ISSN: 2055-7124; 1226-4601; 2055-7124
• DOI: 10.1186/s40824-018-0132-z

Background Cancer is one of the deadliest threats to human health. Abnormal physiochemical conditions and dysregulated biosynthetic intermediates in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a significant role in modulating cancer cells to evade or defend conventional anti-cancer therapy such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. One of the most important challenges in the development of anti-tumor therapy is the successful delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents specifically to solid tumors. Main body The recent progresses in development of TME responsive nanoparticles offers promising strategies for combating cancer by making use of the common attributes of tumor such as acidic and hypoxic microenvironments. In this review, we discussed the prominent strategies utilized in the development of tumor microenvironment-responsive nanoparticles and mode of release of therapeutic cargo. Conclusion Tumor microenvironment-responsive nanoparticles offers a universal approach for anti-cancer therapy.