Responsive Nanomaterial Delivery Systems for Pancreatic Cancer Management

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by a high mortality rate and unfavorable prognosis. This is primarily attributed to poor accumulation of therapeutic agents at the target site due to the presence of a highly complex tumor microenvironment surrounding the pancreatic cancer tissue. However, a promising avenue for targeted drug delivery has emerged in the form of stimuli‐responsive materials. These advanced nanocarriers, encompassing both external and internal stimuli‐responsive nanoparticles, can be formulated to control the release of therapeutic agents precisely in response to specific activation. By harnessing external stimuli such as light, ultrasound, or magnetic fields, as well as intrinsic biological triggers including pH, redox potential, hypoxia, and temperature, these nanomaterials exhibit ‘intelligent’ and selective responses within complex biological environments. These responsive nanoparticles have been shown to address challenges associated with poor vascularity and thick desmoplastic stromal layers, which are hallmarks of pancreatic cancer, by promoting enhanced drug accumulation and release at the target site relative to conventional therapy. This work explores the design strategies for advanced stimuli‐responsive nanomaterials, integrating both internal and external stimuli, with the potential to enhance drug delivery efficacy in pancreatic cancer. It addresses the challenges and prospects in their development and offers insights for future clinical applications.