Tumor microenvironment-responsive size-switchable drug delivery nanosystems
Yue Hu, Shan Gao, Abdur Rauf Khan, Xiaoye Yang, Jianbo Ji, Yanwei Xi, Guangxi Zhai
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Compared with ordinary chemotherapeutic drugs, the variable-size nanoparticles (NPs) have better therapeutic effects and fewer side effects. AREAS COVERED: This review mainly summarizes the strategies used to construct smart, size-tunable nanocarriers based on characteristic factors of tumor microenvironment (TME) to dramatically increase the penetration and retention of drugs within tumors. EXPERT OPINION: Nanosystems with changeable sizes based on the TME have been extensively studied in the past decade, and their permeability and retention have been greatly improved, making them a very promising treatment for tumors.
Topics & Concepts
NanocarriersTumor microenvironmentDrug deliveryDrugNanotechnologyMaterials scienceCancer researchPharmacologyMedicineTumor cellsNanoparticle-Based Drug DeliveryNanoplatforms for cancer theranosticsGraphene and Nanomaterials Applications