Enhancing drug penetration in solid tumors via nanomedicine: Evaluation models, strategies and perspectives

Abstract

Effective tumor treatment depends on optimizing drug penetration and accumulation in tumor tissue while minimizing systemic toxicity. Nanomedicine has emerged as a key solution that addresses the rapid clearance of free drugs, but achieving deep drug penetration into solid tumors remains elusive. This review discusses various strategies to enhance drug penetration, including manipulation of the tumor microenvironment, exploitation of both external and internal stimuli, pioneering nanocarrier surface engineering, and development of innovative tactics for active tumor penetration. One outstanding strategy is organelle-affinitive transfer, which exploits the unique properties of specific tumor cell organelles and heralds a potentially transformative approach to active transcellular transfer for deep tumor penetration. Rigorous models are essential to evaluate the efficacy of these strategies. The patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model is gaining traction as a bridge between laboratory discovery and clinical application. However, the journey from bench to bedside for nanomedicines is fraught with challenges. Future efforts should prioritize deepening our understanding of nanoparticle-tumor interactions, re-evaluating the EPR effect, and exploring novel nanoparticle transport mechanisms.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

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  Models for assessing drug penetration into tumors are compared.

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  Strategies for structural transformation of nanomedicine in the tumor environment are comprehensively elaborated.

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  Strategies to overcome tumor barriers for deep penetration are provided.

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  Active tumor penetration is introduced.

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  The potential and hurdles of nanomedicine in tumor therapies are concluded.