Considering the literature, “Engineered Strategies to Enhance Tumor Penetration of Drug-loaded Nanoparticles” by Souri et al. (2022) is a relevant paper. This work examined the design and use of responsive nanocarriers that absorb the tumor microenvironment, considering intracellular signals as a viable approach to the effective administration of chemotherapy medications in the future. The nanocarriers are tailored to detect common indicators and signals in the tumor microenvironment and within cells.
The formation of abnormal blood vessels, rapidly growing tumors with different PH levels, and enzyme conduits account for the marked heterogeneity of the TME (Souri et al. 2022). The authors propose several methods for creating pH-sensitive liposomes, enzyme-responsive polymer nanoparticles, and other stimuli-responsive systems that discharge at specific intracellular events, as examples of nanocarrier engineering techniques.
The most important finding concerns the creation of specialized nanosystems that can respond to the pH of TME or the enzyme profile of cancer cells, enabling more effective drug delivery directly to the tumor. Tailored systems have been designed to suppress the unwanted effects on normal tissues. To avoid the constraints of classic passive targeting techniques based on the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect only (Souri et al., 2022).
The article considers nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems that are triggered by the cells’ redox system or by enzymes produced by cancer cells. These engineered nanocarriers have dual-targeting mechanisms; they enhance drug penetration into tumor cells and provide controlled drug release.
In both papers, the effectiveness of nanoparticle delivery methods for cancer treatment is discussed, with an emphasis on boosting the EPR (enhanced permeability and retention) effect or overcoming TME barriers. Souri et al. (2022) are expanded upon by Soni et al. (2022), who offer new techniques and supporting data to further improve nanocarrier penetration. The research extends the findings of Souri et al. by introducing a new class of nanocarriers or a unique chemical alteration that greatly enhances the depth of penetration into solid tumors. It provides experimental findings showing improved therapy outcomes from more effective delivery methods.
References
Soni, S. S., D’Elia, A. M., Alsasa, A., Cho, S., Tylek, T., O’Brien, E. M., & Rodell, C. B. (2022). Sustained release of drug-loaded nanoparticles from injectable hydrogels enables long-term control of macrophage phenotype. Biomaterials Science, 10(24), 6951-6967.
Souri, M., Soltani, M., Kashkooli, F. M., & Shahvandi, M. K. (2022). Engineered strategies to enhance tumor penetration of drug-loaded nanoparticles. Journal of Controlled Release, 341, 227-246.