Journal
DRUG DELIVERY AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH
Volume 12, Issue 10, Pages 2303-2334Publisher
SPRINGER HEIDELBERG
DOI: 10.1007/s13346-021-01104-3
Keywords
ROS; Peroxidation; Fatty acids; Docosahexaenoic acid; Antioxidant; Pharmaceutical nanotechnology; Targeted delivery; Adjuvant therapy; Tumor microenvironment; Mitochondria
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [82003692]
- Fundamental Research Funds for the Central University [3102019YX01003]
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Operating Grant [MOP-137054]
- Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Region [313351]
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Canada Discovery Grant [RGPIN 170460-13]
- Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute Innovation Grant [702133]
- Queen Elizabeth II-Graduate Scholarship in Science Technology
- Graduate Department Scholarships
- Top Academic Scholarship at Northwestern Polytechnical University
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Chronic oxidative stress and inflammation promote tumorigenesis and tumor progression, while certain chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation are applied to produce free radicals against cancer cells. Dietary antioxidants like omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been combined with cancer therapies to reduce tumor-promoting oxidative stress and protect normal tissue from chemotherapy and radiation-associated toxicity. However, the results of clinical studies are mixed and may even exacerbate adverse effects. Recent publications suggest that nano-formulations can enhance the therapeutic benefits of PUFA and other free-radical generating cytotoxic drugs during chemotherapy by controlling oxidative stress within a nanoscale vicinity. This article critically evaluates the concurrent use of dietary omega-3 PUFA as an adjuvant to cancer therapies, reviews the findings in studies using nanoparticle formulations, and highlights the importance of spatiotemporal manipulation of oxidative stress by pharmaceutical nanotechnology for improving outcomes with cancer therapies.
Chronic oxidative stress and inflammation promote tumorigenesis and tumor progression, while certain chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation are applied to produce free radicals against cancer cells. To reduce tumor-promoting oxidative stress and protect normal tissue from chemotherapy and radiation-associated toxicity, dietary antioxidants, such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), have been combined with cancer therapies. However, the results of clinical studies are mixed with little to no benefit to therapeutic effect, and even exacerbated adverse effects. PUFA can function as a double-edged sword as an anti- or pro-oxidant depending on when and where it appears. Recent publications indicate that nano-formulations can enhance therapeutic benefit of PUFA and other free-radical generating cytotoxic drugs during chemotherapy by controlling oxidative stress within a nanoscale vicinity. This article critically evaluates the concurrent use of dietary omega-3 PUFA as an adjuvant to cancer therapies, reviews the findings in studies using nanoparticle formulations, and delineates the importance of spatiotemporal manipulation of oxidative stress by pharmaceutical nanotechnology for improving outcomes with cancer therapies using various examples. We hope this review will shed light on rational design of nano-formulations to turn harmful pathological oxidative stress into useful pharmacological modalities by manipulating the location and timing of free-radical generation.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available