Stimuli-activatable nanomedicine meets cancer theranostics

Abstract

Stimuli-activatable strategies prevail in the design of nanomedicine for cancer theranostics. Upon exposure to endogenous/exogenous stimuli, the stimuli-activatable nanomedicine could be self-assembled, disassembled, or functionally activated to improve its biosafety and diagnostic/therapeutic potency. A myriad of tumor-specific features, including a low pH, a high redox level, and overexpressed enzymes, along with exogenous physical stimulation sources (light, ultrasound, magnet, and radiation) have been considered for the design of stimuli-activatable nano-medicinal products. Recently, novel stimuli sources have been explored and elegant designs emerged for stimuli-activatable nanomedicine. In addition, multi-functional theranostic nanomedicine has been employed for imaging-guided or image-assisted antitumor therapy. In this review, we rationalize the development of theranostic nanomedicine for clinical pressing needs. Stimuli-activatable self-assembly, disassembly or functional activation approaches for developing theranostic nanomedicine to realize a better diagnostic/therapeutic efficacy are elaborated and state-of-the-art advances in their structural designs are detailed. A reflection, clinical status, and future perspectives in the stimuli-activatable nanomedicine are provided.

The application of nanoparticles based on ferroptosis in cancer therapy

“…Some of these stimuli not only control drug release and improve drug enrichment but also enhance the efficacy of ferroptosis treatment through synergistic treatment. 204,205 Finally, the in situ self-assembly strategy of ferroptosis nanoparticles is based on molecular state cycling, self-assemblyassisted targeting to the tumor site, and the aggregation/ assembly-induced retention (AIR) effect, which reduces the problems of rapid excretion and extensive metabolism. This strategy reduces systemic toxicity and improves biocompatibility.…”

Liposome-coated nanoparticle triggers prostate cancer ferroptosis through synergetic chemodynamic-gas therapy

“…As is known, encouraging achievements have been made in tumor-targeting drug-delivery nanomedicines in recent year. 10–12 Emerging studies have demonstrated that chemodynamic therapy (CDT) could catalyze intra-cellular H 2 O 2 into a toxic hydroxyl radical (˙OH) via a Fenton/Fenton-like reaction, which contributed to the accumulation of lipid peroxides. 13–16 In particular, manganese-based nanoparticles (NPs), such as manganese oxide, manganese iron, and manganese sulfide (MnS), have been widely used for the treatment of various cancers.…”

Boosting Reactive Oxygen Species Generation with a Dual-Catalytic Nanomedicine for Enhanced Tumor Nanocatalytic Therapy

“…Besides, the limited penetration of external stimuli and hypoxic tumor severely restrained the therapeutic efficacy of these strategies. Therefore, developing new strategies with noninvasive stimulus , to achieve efficient and tumor-specific catalytic ROS generation is highly desirable in tumor treatment. With the employment of a Fenton/Fenton-like reaction to convert less active H 2 O 2 into highly toxic •OH in tumor cells, CDT achieved many satisfactory outcomes in tumor treatment without dependence on the external excitations and local O 2 level.…”

“…Besides, the limited penetration of external stimuli and hypoxic tumor severely restrained the therapeutic efficacy of these strategies. Therefore, developing new strategies with noninvasive stimulus 23,24 to achieve efficient and tumor-specific catalytic ROS generation is highly desirable in tumor treatment. With Fe-based Fenton reaction, 29−31 and the high concentration of reductive glutathione (GSH) remarkably scavenged the produced ROS, making it difficult to achieve the desired therapeutic efficacy.…”