Application of gas molecules in cancer therapy

Abstract

Gas therapy is currently popular in cancer treatment because of its controllability, effectiveness, and biosafety, as well as the fast development of carriers for gas delivery. Here, we introduce the various gas molecules with exact anticancer effects, including nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen (O2), hydrogen (H2), etc., and their anticancer mechanisms. Besides, recent advances in stimuli-responsive delivery systems for gas therapy are summarized. In terms of the various stimulation methods, the design of delivery systems for gases is introduced. In addition, the strategies of gas therapy combined with other therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy (RT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), etc., are described. Finally, the current challenges and prospects of delivery platforms for gases, and the future development and clinical translational value of gas therapy are also discussed.

Keywords

• Gas therapy
• Cancer therapy
• Combination strategy
• Stimuli-responsive system