Dimeric prodrug-based nanomedicines for cancer therapy

• Published in: Journal of controlled release 2020-10, Vol.326, p.510-522
• Main Authors: Li, Shumeng, Shan, Xinzhu, Wang, Yuequan, Chen, Qin, Sun, Jin, He, Zhonggui, Sun, Bingjun, Luo, Cong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical nanotechnology; Cancer therapy; Conjugation chemistry; Dimeric prodrug; Nanomedicine
• ISSN: 0168-3659; 1873-4995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.07.036

With the rapid development of conjugation chemistry and biomedical nanotechnology, prodrug-based nanosystems (PNS) have emerged as promising drug delivery nanoplatforms. Dimeric prodrug, as an emerging branch of prodrug, has been widely investigated by covalently conjugating two same or different drug molecules. In recent years, great progress has been made in dimeric prodrug-based nanosystems (DPNS) for cancer therapy. Many advantages offered by DPNS have significantly facilitated the delivery efficiency of anticancer drugs, such as high drug loading capacity, favorable pharmacokinetics, tumor stimuli-sensitive drug release and facile combination theranostics. Given the rapid developments in this field, we here outline the latest updates of DPNS in cancer treatment, focusing on dimeric prodrug-encapsulated nanosystems, dimeric prodrug-nanoassemblies and tumor stimuli-responsive DPNS. Moreover, the design principle, advantages and challenges of DPNS for clinical cancer therapy are also highlighted. [Display omitted] •Conjugation chemistry and nanotechnology have greatly facilitated drug delivery.•PNS integrates the advantages of conjugation chemistry and nanotechnology.•DPNS has emerged as an emerging branch of PNS for efficient anticancer drug delivery.