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Researchers in cancer nanomedicine are exploring a revolutionary multifaceted carrier for treatment and diagnosis, resulting in the proposal of various drug cargos or "magic bullets" in this past decade. Even though different nano-based complexes are registered for clinical trials, very few products enter the final stages each year because of various issues. This prevents the formulations from entering the market and being accessible to patients. In the search for novel materials, the exploitation of 2D nanosheets, including but not limited to the highly acclaimed graphene, has created extensive interest for biomedical applications. A unique set of properties often characterize 2D materials, including semiconductivity, high surface area, and their chemical nature, which allow simple decoration and functionalization procedures, structures with high stability and targeting properties, vectors for controlled and sustained release of drugs, and materials for thermal-based therapies. This review discusses the challenges and opportunities of recently discovered 2D nanosheets for cancer therapeutics, with special attention paid to the most promising design technologies and their potential for clinical translation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolution of nanomedicine is the re-design of synthetic and biological carriers to implement novel theranostic platforms. In recent years, bacteriophage research favors this process, which has opened up new roads in drug and gene delivery studies. By displaying antibodies, peptides, or proteins on the surface of different bacteriophages through the phage display technique, it is now possible to unravel specific molecular determinants of both cancer cells and tumor-associated microenvironmental molecules. Downstream applications are manifold, with peptides being employed most of the times to functionalize drug carriers and improve their therapeutic index. Bacteriophages themselves were proven, in this scenario, to be good carriers for imaging molecules and therapeutics as well. Moreover, manipulation of their genetic material to stably vehiculate suicide genes within cancer cells substantially changed perspectives in gene therapy. In this review, we provide examples of how amenable phages can be used as anticancer agents, especially because their systemic administration is possible. We also provide some insights into how their immunogenic profile can be modulated and exploited in immuno-oncology for vaccine production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric nanomaterials that degrade in acidic environments have gained considerable attention in nanomedicine for intracellular drug delivery and cancer therapy. Among various acid-degradable linkages, spirocyclic acetals have rarely been used to fabricate such vehicles. In addition to acid sensitivity, they benefit from conformational rigidity that is otherwise not attainable by their non-spirocyclic analogs. Herein, amphiphilic spirocyclic polyacetals are synthesized by Cu-catalyzed alkyne–azide "click" polymerization. Unlike conventional block copolymers, which often form core–shell structures, these polymers self-assemble to form core amphiphilic assemblies capable of encapsulating Nile red as a hydrophobic model drug. In vitro experiments show that while release from these materials can occur at neutral pH with preservation of their integrity, acidic pH accelerates efficient cargo release and leads to the complete degradation of assemblies. Moreover, cellular assays reveal that these materials are fully cytocompatible, interact with the plasma membrane, and can be internalized by cells, rendering them as potential candidates for cancer therapy and/or drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of nanotechnology-based solutions for cancer at a preclinical level advances at an astounding pace. So far, clinical translation of these new developments has not been able to keep the pace due to a range of different reasons. One of them is the mismatch between in vitro and in vivo results coming from the expected difference in complexity. To overcome this problem, extensive characterisation using advanced in vitro models can lead to stronger preliminary data to face in vivo tests. Here, a comprehensive in vitro validation of a combinatorial therapy nanoformulation against solid tumours is presented. The information extracted from the different in vitro models highlights the importance of advanced 3D models to fully understand the potential of this type of complex drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]