hypoxia-sensitive nanoparticles for cancer therapy

Aim and background: hypoxia resulting from the inadequate supply of oxygen and nutrient to the rapidly growing cancer cells. hypoxia is strongly associated with cancer cell survival, proliferation, and metastasis, as well as resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. therefore, targeting the hypoxic microenvironment of cancer is an attractive strategy for cancer therapy. recent advancements in nanoparticle technology have led to the development of hypoxia-sensitive nanoparticles for targeting the hypoxic region of tumors. methods: this review was prepared by searching science direct, google scholar, pub-med, scopus, and web of science databases. results and discussion: hypoxia-sensitive nanoparticles are designed to release drugs selectively in hypoxic tumor regions, leading to improved efficacy and reduced side effects. the nanoparticles can be tailored to respond to various hypoxia-related stimuli, such as the low ph, low oxygen concentration, and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ros) in the tumor microenvironment. the hypoxia-sensitive nanoparticles have been shown to increase the accumulation of drugs in the hypoxic region of the tumor. several strategies have been developed for the fabrication of hypoxia-sensitive nanoparticles, including the use of hypoxia-responsive prodrugs, hypoxia-responsive polymers, and hypoxia-sensitive nanocarriers. moreover, the combination of hypoxia-sensitive nanoparticles with other cancer therapies, such as radiation and immunotherapy, has shown promising results in enhancing the therapeutic efficacy. conclusion: hypoxia-sensitive nanoparticles represent a potential solution for the challenges associated with targeting the hypoxic microenvironment of solid tumors. the development of hypoxia-sensitive nanoparticles has opened new avenues for the design of more effective and specific cancer therapies.