Recent advances in engineering prodrug-based nanomedicines for cancer therapy

Abstract

Despite substantial progress, nanomedicines still face numerous obstacles in cancer therapy. The combination of prodrugs and nanoparticle drug delivery systems has cooperatively led to unprecedented levels of control over the pharmacological properties of antitumor drugs, which gained significant attention a decade ago and is believed to propose pioneering clinical outcomes. Manipulating the matter within the nanoscale, prodrug-based nanomedicines are unified in classification and categorized by promoiety size and nanoconstruction formulation in the review. In addition, we focus on the updates of a broad spectrum of fabrication advances and applications in the field of prodrug-based nanotechnologies in multiple cancer therapeutic strategies in response to the tumor microenvironment, with special emphasis on chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Finally, the prospects and the potential threats of prodrug-based nanoassemblies toward the market and clinical uses are highlighted.