Responsive nanoplatforms: Versatile design strategies for efficient cancer theranostics

Abstract

In recent years, with close cooperation between different disciplines, more and more smart “all-in-one” theranostic nanoplatforms with stimulus-responsive capability have been designed for biomedical applications, attracting much attention around the world. In this context, the stimuli-responsive components play a decisive role in the design of theranostic nanoagents with in vivo spatiotemporal mode. In this review, we outline some typical design strategies of responsive nanoplatforms for efficient cancer therapy from both material and biological perspectives. From the materials point of view, researchers have designed the smart nanoplatforms by functionalized modifications or doping strategy combined with adjustable or variable skeleton structure to achieve promising biomedical applications. From the biological point of view, the constructed nanoplatforms targeting the different physiological factors that characterize specific diseases are hopeful to address the challenges posed by the pathological environment in a specifical and efficient way, in order to achieve an individualized therapy. Finally, we prospect the present limitations and future development of responsive smart biomaterials.

Keywords

• Nanoplatforms
• Stimuli-responsive
• Tumor microenvironment
• Design strategy
• Cancer therapy