Tumor extracellular matrix modulating strategies for enhanced antitumor therapy of nanomedicines

Nanomedicines have shown a promising strategy for cancer therapy because of their higher safety and efficiency relative to small-molecule drugs, while the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) in tumors often acts as a physical barrier to hamper the accumulation and diffusion of nanoparticles, thus compromising the anticancer efficacy. To address this issue, two major strategies including degrading ECM components and inhibiting ECM formation have been adopted to enhance the therapeutic efficacies of nanomedicines. In this review, we summarize the recent progresses of tumor ECM modulating strategies for enhanced antitumor therapy of nanomedicines. Through degrading ECM components or inhibiting ECM formation, the accumulation and diffusion of nanoparticles in tumors can be facilitated, leading to enhanced efficacies of chemotherapy and phototherapy. Moreover, the ECM degradation can improve the infiltration of immune cells into tumor tissues, thus achieving strong immune response to reject tumors. The adoptions of these two ECM modulating strategies to improve the efficacies of chemotherapy, phototherapy, and immunotherapy are discussed in detail. A conclusion, current challenges and outlook are then given.

Automated summary

Nanomedicines have shown promise in cancer therapy due to their increased safety and efficiency compared to small-molecule drugs. However, the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) in tumors often hinders the accumulation and diffusion of nanoparticles, reducing their anticancer efficacy. To overcome this, strategies such as degrading ECM components and inhibiting ECM formation have been employed to enhance the therapeutic effects of nanomedicines. By degrading ECM components or inhibiting ECM formation, the accumulation and diffusion of nanoparticles in tumors can be improved, leading to enhanced chemotherapy and phototherapy. Additionally, ECM degradation can enhance the infiltration of immune cells into tumor tissues, resulting in a stronger immune response against tumors.