Issue 42, 2021

Multi-functional polymeric micelles for chemotherapy-based combined cancer therapy

Abstract

Currently, the therapeutic performance of traditional mono-chemotherapy on cancers remains unsatisfactory because of the tumor heterogeneity and multidrug resistance. In light of intricate tumor structures and distinct tumor microenvironments (TMEs), combinational therapeutic strategies with multiple anticancer drugs from different mechanisms can synergistically optimize the outcomes and concomitantly minimize the adverse effects during the therapy process. Extensive research on polymeric micelles (PMs) for biomedical applications has revealed the growing importance of nanomedicines for cancer therapy in the recent decade. Starting from traditional simple delivery systems, PMs have been extended to multi-faceted therapeutic strategies. Here we review and summarize the most recent advances in combinational therapy based on multifunctional PMs including a combination of multiple anticancer drugs, chemo-gene therapy, chemo-phototherapy and chemo-immunotherapy. The design approaches, action mechanisms and therapeutic applications of these nanodrugs are summarized. In addition, we highlight the opportunities and potential challenges associated with this promising field, which will provide new guidelines for advanced combinational cancer chemotherapy.

Graphical abstract: Multi-functional polymeric micelles for chemotherapy-based combined cancer therapy

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
14 8 2021
Accepted
17 9 2021
First published
18 9 2021

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2021,9, 8718-8738

Multi-functional polymeric micelles for chemotherapy-based combined cancer therapy

R. Bholakant, B. Dong, X. Zhou, X. Huang, C. Zhao, D. Huang, Y. Zhong, H. Qian, W. Chen and J. Feijen, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2021, 9, 8718 DOI: 10.1039/D1TB01771C

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements