The Advent of Molecular Targeted Therapies Against Cancer. Toward Multi‐Targeting Drugs Through Materials Engineering: A Possible Future Scenario

• Published in: Small science 2024-08, Vol.4 (8), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Puzzo, Marianna, De Santo, Marzia, Morelli, Catia, Leggio, Antonella, Pasqua, Luigi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids; Cancer therapies; Chemotherapy; Cytotoxicity; Dihydrofolate reductase; Drug delivery systems; Drug dosages; Endocrine therapy; Enzymes; Immunology; Kinases; Ligands; Medical prognosis; mesoporous silica nanoparticles; Metabolism; Metabolites; molecular multi‐targeting nanostructured device; molecular targeted therapy; Mutation; nanomedicine; Nanoparticles; nanostructured therapeutics; personalized medicine; Precision medicine; Toxicity; Vitamin B
• ISSN: 2688-4046; 2688-4046
• DOI: 10.1002/smsc.202400113

The authors, actively engaged in the development of mesoporous silica‐based solutions, initially for modified drug release, later for the smart administration of conventional chemotherapeutic cytotoxic drugs, present the evolution of the concept of targeted therapy across different disciplines. They also discuss the diverse therapeutic needs and related challenges (adverse drug effects) that have unfolded over the last 30 years. Nanomedicine potentialities, mainly against cancers, that have emerged globally during the intense research activity of the last few decades, are critically discussed. The authors glimpse the growing potential of immune‐based therapeutic solutions, including those assisted by nanotechnology, as well as molecular targeted therapies (MTT) on which they focus. The advantages offered by targeted molecular therapies, despite the limits of monotargeted therapies, suggest the engineering of multi‐targeted therapies. Nanomedicine solutions such as ligand‐specific internalization and pH‐sensitive drug release that they have extensively tested and recently presented in open literature, still remain available instruments. According to the authors, MTT can offer shining perspectives in the near future that will depend on a thorough comprehension of nanostructures synthesis and tumor physiology. This article gives an interdisciplinary point of view tailored for non‐specialist readers imagining possible future scenarios in the field. Schematic, non‐exhaustive representation of possible approaches in molecular targeted cancer therapies. Single‐, dual‐, and multi‐targeting drugs, both real and perspectively imagined (Molecular multi‐targeting nanodevices), are represented. Simultaneous targeting of multiple pathways enhances synergistic effects against cancer progression. Materials engineering allows the development of nanostructured devices to deliver drugs simultaneously to multiple targets, enabling precise and efficient therapeutic interventions.