Issue 19, 2023

Transformable nanodrugs for overcoming the biological barriers in the tumor environment during drug delivery

Abstract

Drug delivery systems have been studied massively with explosive growth in the last few decades. However, challenges such as biological barriers are still obstructing the delivery efficiency of nanomedicines. Reports have shown that the physicochemical properties, such as the morphologies of nanodrugs, could highly affect their biodistribution and bioavailability. Therefore, transformable nanodrugs that take advantage of different sizes and shapes allow for overcoming multiple biological barriers, providing promising prospects for drug delivery. This review aims to present an overview of the most recent developments of transformable nanodrugs in this emerging field. First, the design principles and transformation mechanisms which serve as guidelines for smart nanodrugs are summarized. Afterward, their applications in overcoming biological barriers, including the bloodstream, intratumoral pressure, cellular membrane, endosomal wrapping, and nuclear membrane, are highlighted. Finally, discussions on the current developments and future perspectives of transformable nanodrugs are given.

Graphical abstract: Transformable nanodrugs for overcoming the biological barriers in the tumor environment during drug delivery

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
26 Nov. 2022
Accepted
10 Apr. 2023
First published
10 Apr. 2023

Nanoscale, 2023,15, 8532-8547

Transformable nanodrugs for overcoming the biological barriers in the tumor environment during drug delivery

X. Li, Z. Huang, Z. Liao, A. Liu and S. Huo, Nanoscale, 2023, 15, 8532 DOI: 10.1039/D2NR06621A

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