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Virus‐mimetic systems for cancer diagnosis and therapy
Author(s) -
Gao Xihui,
Ding Junqiang,
Long Qianqian,
Zhan Changyou
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
wiley interdisciplinary reviews: nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1939-0041
pISSN - 1939-5116
DOI - 10.1002/wnan.1692
Subject(s) - nanomedicine , cancer therapy , biocompatible material , drug delivery , virus , gene delivery , cancer , oncolytic virus , nanotechnology , medicine , genetic enhancement , computer science , computational biology , biology , virology , nanoparticle , biomedical engineering , materials science , gene , biochemistry
Over past decades, various strategies have been developed to enhance the delivery efficiency of therapeutics and imaging agents to tumor tissues. However, the therapeutic outcome of tumors to date have not been significantly improved, which can be partly attributed to the weak targeting ability, fast elimination, and low stability of conventional delivery systems. Viruses are the most efficient agents for gene transfer, serving as a valuable source of inspiration for designing nanoparticle‐based delivery systems. Based on the properties of viruses, including well‐defined geometry, precise composition, easy modification, stable construction, and specific infection, researchers attempt to design biocompatible delivery vectors by mimicking virus assembly and using the vector system to selectively concentrate drugs or imaging probes in tumors with mitigated toxicity and improved efficacy. In this review, we introduce common viruses features and provide an overview of various virus‐mimetic strategies for cancer therapy and diagnosis. The challenges faced by virus‐mimetic systems are also discussed. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease