Nanomedicine in Melanoma: Current Trends and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Abstract:As cutaneous melanoma is a highly aggressive and drug-resistant cancer, there is intense research focusing on developing new, efficient drugs. Nanomedicine focuses on developing different groups of nanomaterials for both diagnosis and therapy, and this combination of specific diagnosis and therapy is called theranostics. Nanomaterials tailored as delivery vehicles can be nanocapsules, nanorods, nanotubes, nanoshells, and nanocages. All these structures protect the intended drug against degradation and enhance its stability. The development and characterization of polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, liposomes, nanohydrogel, dendrimers, inorganic nanoparticles, and hybrid nanocarriers are among the delivery vehicles that transport different anticancer agents. Functionalization of nanocarriers with specific molecules, such as antibodies, can generate different smart nanodrugs for application in cancer therapy and/or diagnosis. Nanotherapeutic strategies deal with several shortcomings that comprise of tumor characteristics, biological barriers, biocompatibility, and so on. As nanostructures interact with various host biomolecules, comprehensive in vitro cellular models call for evaluation of physicochemical properties, dose, and time of action of nanomaterials, while in vivo assessments would provide valuable data regarding the level of absorption, tissue/organ distribution, and metabolism. The future perspectives in nanotechnology applied to cancer overcomes the translational barrier from the laboratory to the clinical application to potentially improve conventional theranostic techniques.

Oxidative Stress-Related Mechanisms in Melanoma and in the Acquired Resistance to Targeted Therapies

“…Drug-loaded nanoparticles offer several advantages: prolonging drug half-life, enhancing drug localization, increasing drug efficacy, minimizing toxic side effects, and diminishing the chances of multidrug resistance [ 132 ]. Melanoma also can benefit from these advantages [ 133 , 134 , 135 ]. Thus, treatments with old pro-oxidant drugs, such as paclitaxel, dacarbazine, doxorubicin, but also Ps loaded in nanoparticles, being more effective, become more appealing for clinical treatments [ 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 ].…”

“…Melanoma also can benefit from these advantages [ 133 , 134 , 135 ]. Thus, treatments with old pro-oxidant drugs, such as paclitaxel, dacarbazine, doxorubicin, but also Ps loaded in nanoparticles, being more effective, become more appealing for clinical treatments [ 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 ]. Recently, the nanoparticle-albumin-bound paclitaxel (Nab-Paclitaxel), indicated as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs for the treatment of advanced breast, pancreatic, and non-small cell lung cancers [ 137 ], has also gained attention for MM treatment [ 138 ].…”

Functionalization of Nanomaterials and Their Application in Melanoma Cancer Theranostics

“…Thus, the nanoparticle-based technology enables favorable biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of the albumin-bound paclitaxel formulation. Though notable success has been achieved regarding the synthesis and formulation of NP drug, there is a dearth in the clinical translation, suggesting the existence of several limitations as well as opportunities . Heterogeneity of the target, side-effect activation, toxicity, and immunological and biological clearance are the main limitations that need to be addressed to significantly improve the efficacy of the nanodrug for future theranostic applications.…”

A sulfur dioxide polymer prodrug showing combined effect with doxorubicin in combating subcutaneous and metastatic melanoma

“…Melanoma, one of the most lethal skin tumors with prominent morbidity and mortality, has posed a serious threat to human health and identifying effective treatment modalities is of utmost importance [ [1] , [2] , [3] ]. In the past few decades, various strategies have been performed for inhibiting the growth and metastasis of melanoma, including immunotherapy using an antibody directed against programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1).…”