Breaking Down the Barriers to Precision Cancer Nanomedicine

Nanoparticle surface chemistry is evolving from conventional synthetic polymers to more biologically inspired strategies, including cell membrane and self-recognition peptides, to minimize nonspecific uptake of NPs. These new surface coating strategies represent a new way to design biologically inert or responsive NPs. Various strategies are being investigated to develop smart nanomaterials that can adaptively shape-shift depending on the local environment, inspired by protein conformational changes in response to different stimuli. These bioresponsive nanomaterials could lead to precision nanomedicine tailored to unique biological conditions. Immune-interactive nanomaterials represent another research area in the anti-cancer immune response. These nanomaterials offer new and more effective ways to deliver immune-stimulating agents to promote anti-tumor immunity. Nanomedicine offers unique advantages in treating human cancers. However, physiological and pathological barriers within normal and disease tissues, which are highly variable among individuals, often hinder its effectiveness. The body possesses specific innate responses to nanoparticles (NPs), which when combined with unique pathophysiological signatures in the tumor microenvironment, can severely limit the utility of nanomedicine in the oncological setting. Furthermore, with the successes of cancer immunotherapies, understanding nanoimmune interactions and developing immune-smart cancer nanomedicine that can take advantage of the body's immune functions will increasingly become clinically relevant. Therefore, a better understanding of the important native and acquired biological processes that dictate the fate of nanomedicine is integral to developing more effective individualized platforms for treating cancer patients. Nanomedicine offers unique advantages in treating human cancers. However, physiological and pathological barriers within normal and disease tissues, which are highly variable among individuals, often hinder its effectiveness. The body possesses specific innate responses to nanoparticles (NPs), which when combined with unique pathophysiological signatures in the tumor microenvironment, can severely limit the utility of nanomedicine in the oncological setting. Furthermore, with the successes of cancer immunotherapies, understanding nanoimmune interactions and developing immune-smart cancer nanomedicine that can take advantage of the body's immune functions will increasingly become clinically relevant. Therefore, a better understanding of the important native and acquired biological processes that dictate the fate of nanomedicine is integral to developing more effective individualized platforms for treating cancer patients. immune cells with specialized abilities to process and present antigens to T cell receptors. Professional APCs include macrophages, dendritic cells, and Langerhans cells. a highly specialized and selective layer that separates systemic circulation from the extracellular matrix of the CNS. the process by which molecules, particles, cellular debris, or entire cells are engulfed and cleared by phagocytes within the body. molecules of specific sizes are preferentially taken up by, and accumulate in, tumor tissues. a branch of the innate immune system composed of monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells; all of which have crucial roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis. an immunological process in which foreign particles are modified to be recognized by phagocytes. the process in which PEG or similar long-chain polymers are engrafted to molecules or macrostructures. an energy-dependent process by which cells absorb micro- and macromolecules through the inward budding of the plasma membrane to form vesicles, triggered by molecules binding with specific cell membrane receptors. the extracellular space between tumor cells. Usually composed of extracellular proteins, tumor-associated vasculatures, and stromal cells. a process mediated by antiangiogenic therapy, resulting in restored balance between pro- and antiangiogenic signaling in tumors to normalize the abnormal tumor vasculature network.