Time for change for cancer nanomedicine Times of change for cancer nanomedicine
"A large proportion of cancer nanomedicine studies have followed almost identical steps, including formulation and characterization of a few iterations of a nanomedicine candidate, in vitro proof of concept and confirmation of antitumoral effect in preclinical mouse models. The latter suffers from both low throughput and poor predictive capabilities. However, cancer nanomedicine research is changing as it becomes more truly interdisciplinary and integrates the tools and developments of other fields, including advanced disease modelling (for example, multicellular three-dimensional in vitro models, tumour-on-chip), omics (for example, nanoparticle barcoding), computing, modelling and AI (for example, big data management, building of predictive models of nanomedicine synthesis and biodistribution). Such developments are likely to increase the relevance of fundamental and quantitative studies of nano–bio interactions and may enable us to approach the complex, multivariate problem of delivery of highly modular nanomedicines in a way unattainable with previous analytical designs and tools.
The definition of a cancer nanomedicine is expanding beyond that of a nanosized delivery vehicle that transports chemotherapy drugs to tumour cells. Preclinical and clinical research has shown that cancer nanomedicines may allow earlier diagnosis, alert the immune system against the tumour, sever microenvironmental support of neoplastic cells and play other roles that could even be more efficacious or translatable than classic drug carriers. These new roles will probably transform and increase the presence of cancer nanomedicines in the clinic.”
Obstacles and opportunities in a forward vision for cancer nanomedicine | Nature Materials