Can the Union of Prodrug Therapy and Nanomedicine Lead to Better Cancer Management?

Abstract

Prodrug‐mediated and nanomedicine‐mediated therapies stand at the forefront of cancer management today. However, a lot of recent research efforts have been focused on identifying novel strategies in treating tumor by combining the techniques and attributes of both prodrug‐mediated and nanomedicine‐mediated therapies into distinct prodrug‐based‐nanomedicine‐mediated (ProNaMed) therapies. Many of these amalgamated therapies exhibit augmented and sometimes synergistic antitumor effects which are engendered by the complementary and cooperative activities of the prodrugs and the nanostructures involved. Herein, the distinctive as well as overlapping features of prodrug‐mediated and nanomedicine‐mediated therapies with a few examples are expounded. Then, as some of the general trends observed in combined ProNaMed therapies are explored, the strategies used in such therapies along with some recent research examples and their respective therapeutic outcomes are discussed. Further, light is shed on the diverse manifestations of augmented antitumor effects and chemotherapeutic ameliorations which are noticeably materialized in many of the ProNaMed therapies. Fundamental insights are offered on why pursuing ProNaMed strategies may offer us better therapeutic solutions over isolated prodrug‐ or nanomedicine‐based strategies for tumor management.

Cationic dextrin nanoparticles for effective intracellular delivery of cytochrome C in cancer therapy

“…1,2 For several years, researchers have been engaged in developing suitable and less toxic mediated therapies as an alternative to conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy to combat the associated risks to healthy cells. [3][4][5] The development of nanotechnology has led to the emergence of various anticancer treatment methods, [6][7][8][9] among which therapeutic protein delivery has been deemed of utmost importance in recent times. This is because, unlike chemotherapy where the anticancer drugs are not specific to the cancer tissue and damage healthy cells, and drug resistance develops upon repeated administration, 10 a therapeutic protein offers increased specificity, selectivity, and reduced toxicity towards healthy cells.…”

Biomaterial-Based Responsive Nanomedicines for Targeting Solid Tumor Microenvironments

“…Chemo- and radiotherapy cause serious side effects for the patients within the therapeutic window of the administered doses [ 17 ]. Great progress has been achieved with advanced investigation of new therapeutic agents including peptides, antibodies, and prodrugs [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. However, the success of these compounds is compromised by the limitations of abnormal vasculature, heterogenic basement membranes, and poor blood supply.…”