Organic/Inorganic Self‐Assembled Hybrid Nano‐Architectures for Cancer Therapy Applications

Abstract

Since the conceptualization of nanomedicine, numerous nanostructure‐mediated drug formulations have progressed into clinical trials for treating cancer. However, recent clinical trial results indicate such kind of drug formulations has a limited improvement on the antitumor efficacy. This is due to the biological barriers associated with those formulations, for example, circulation stability, extravasation efficiency in tumor, tumor penetration ability, and developed multi‐drug resistance. When employing for nanomedicine formulations, pristine organic‐based and inorganic‐based nanostructures have their own limitations. Accordingly, organic/inorganic (O/I) hybrids have been developed to integrate the merits of both, and to minimize their intrinsic drawbacks. In this context, the recent development in O/I hybrids resulting from a self‐assembly strategy will be introduced. Through such a strategy, organic and inorganic building blocks can be self‐assembled via either chemical covalent bonds or physical interactions. Based on the self‐assemble procedure, the hybridization of four organic building blocks including liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, and polymeric nanocapsules with five functional inorganic nanoparticles comprising gold nanostructures, magnetic nanoparticles, carbon‐based materials, quantum dots, and silica nanoparticles will be highlighted. The recent progress of these O/I hybrids in advanced modalities for combating cancer, such as, therapeutic agent delivery, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy will be systematically reviewed.

NIR-Cleavable and pH-Responsive Polymeric Yolk–Shell Nanoparticles for Controlled Drug Release

“…The bifunctional ONB derivatives were synthesized via a four-step method, and each intermediate and final product was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, as shown in Figure S4. 1 H and 13 C NMR spectra, as shown in Figures S5−S8, further confirmed the structures of AMNBOC and its intermediates. The mass spectrum of AMNBOC is shown in Figure S9.…”

“…However, the size of nanoparticles (NPs) prepared via electrospinning is not uniform and controllable; therefore, electrospinning is rarely used for preparing biodegradable polymer-based nanomaterials . On the other hand, controlled release can be realized in self-assembled micelles or robust polymer nanocapsules containing azobenzene, spiropyran, and coumarin moieties through hydrophobic to hydrophilic transformation under light irradiation. − A self-assembled structure is not robust enough in a biological environment. − The release efficiency and toxicity of a polymer are important issues that should be addressed.…”

Using host–guest interactions at the interface of quantum dots to load drug molecules for biocompatible, safe, and effective chemo-photodynamic therapy against cancer

“…This feature can enable intelligent control of chemotherapy to achieve more efficient drug delivery to tumor sites. 21…”

“…This system co-delivered semiconductor QDs (Ag 2 S QDs) and doxorubicin (DOX) to tumors, exhibiting strong reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation capability and stimuli-responsive release of drugs and QDs in acidic microenvironments (pH 5.5). 21–23…”

Physicochemical Characterization of Ferrocifen Lipid Nanocapsules: Customized Drug Delivery Systems Guided by the Molecular Structure

“…Nanomedicine is a very active multidisciplinary field with large investments, internationally notably recognized since the success of the Covid-19 vaccination nanoplatform developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Since the 1960s, one of the main objectives of the field has been to develop new therapeutic strategies to treat cancers, and much progress has been made toward increasing the amount of conventional chemotherapeutic agents reaching the cancer site and in avoiding healthy tissues by the use of vectors such as liposomes, polymeric nanocapsules, − and lipid prodrug nanoparticles . However, resistance phenomena to classic chemotherapies are too often observed and hence the need to bring to market new, small, active molecules to overcome this problem.…”