Challenges and opportunities of poly(amino acid) nanomedicines in cancer therapy

Nanomedicine (Lond). 2024;19(29):2495-2504. doi: 10.1080/17435889.2024.2402677. Epub 2024 Oct 9.

Abstract

Poly(amino acid) nanomedicines hold significant promise for cancer therapy. However, their clinical translation has not matched the extensive efforts of scientists or the burgeoning body of research. The therapeutic outcomes with most nanomedicines often fall short of the promising results observed in animal experiments. This review explores the challenges faced in cancer therapy using poly(amino acid) nanomedicines, particularly addressing the controversies surrounding the enhanced permeability and retention effect and the lack of methods for controlled and reproducible mass production of poly(amino acid) nanomedicines. Furthermore, this review examines the opportunities emerging in this field due to the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.

Keywords: advanced cancer therapy; artificial intelligence; enhanced permeability and retention effect; multilevel structure; nanomedicine; poly(amino acid).

Plain language summary

[Box: see text].

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids* / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Drug Carriers / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods
  • Humans
  • Nanomedicine* / methods
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Peptides
  • Drug Carriers