Multifunctional Electrospun Nanofibers for Enhancing Localized Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Localized cancer treatment is one of the most effective strategies in clinical destruction of solid tumors at early stages as it can minimize the side effects of cancer therapeutics. Electrospun nanofibers have been demonstrated as a promising implantable platform in localized cancer treatment, enabling the on-site delivery of therapeutic components and minimizing side effects to normal tissues. This Review discusses the recent cutting-edge research with regard to electrospun nanofibers used for various therapeutic approaches, including gene therapy, chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, thermal therapy, and combination therapy, in enhancing localized cancer treatment. Furthermore, it extensively analyzes the current challenges and potential breakthroughs in utilizing this novel platform for clinical transition in localized cancer treatment.

Keywords: cancer therapeutics; electrospun nanofibers; localized cancer treatment; localized drug delivery.

Figure 1.

The applications of electrospun nanofibers in cancer therapy.

Figure 2.

The typical schematic diagram of electrospinning process.

Figure 3.

The implantable DOX loaded micelle-in-nanofiber platform synthesized by coaxial electrospinning. Reproduced with permission.^[62] Copyright 2015, American Chemical Society.

Figure 4.

(A) The formation process of Pt(_IV) micelle; (B) the synthesis and local therapy of micelle-incoparated fibers. Reproduced with permission.^[64] Copyright 2017, Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 5.

Schematic illustration of the thermal responsive nanogel-in-microfiber drug delivery system. Reproduced with permission.^[66] Copyright 2015, Wiley-VCH.

Figure 6.

(a) The bright-field image, (b) luminescent image and (c) the merged image of cancer cells incubated with upconversion luminescent composite nanofibers. Reproduced with permission.^[93] Copyright 2012, Wiley-VCH.

Figure 7.

MR images of tumor-bearing mice pre and post pasting the composite mesh. Reproduced with permission.^[94] Copyright 2015, Springer-Verlag.

Figure 8.

The effect of NIR light on DOX release kinetics of CTO:Yb,Er-PAA nanofibers in different pH values. Reproduced with permission.^[98] Copyright 2016, American Chemical Society.

Figure 9.

PEG-GNRs-incorporated PLGA/ PLA-b-PEG fibrous membrane for in vitro photothermal therapy. Reproduced with permission.^[115] Copyright 2014, American Chemical Society.

Figure 10.

The synthesis of PCL-GO composite nanofibers. Reproduced with permission.^[117] Copyright 2017, Elsevier.

Figure 11.

(a) Cu₂S particles-incorporated fibers for tumor therapy and tissue regeneration, (b, c) SEM images of Cu₂S nanoparticles, (d, e, f) SEM images and (g) TEM image of micropatterned CS-PLA/PCL membranes with Cu₂S nanoflowers. Reproduced with permission.^[118] Copyright 2017, American Chemical Society.

Figure 12.

The digital photographs of electrospun composite nanofibers. Reproduced with permission.^[149] Copyright 2015, Royal Society of Chemistry.

Figure 13.

SEM images of (A) MADO nanofibers, (B) MADO–Fe₃O₄ nanofibers and (C) MADO–Fe₃O₄–BTZ nanofibers; (D) TEM image of MADO–Fe₃O₄–BTZ nanofibers. Reproduced with permission.^[151] Copyright 2015, Wiley-VCH.

Figure 14.

(A) TEM image of IONPs (inset: SAED pattern), SEM image of (B) PLGA nanofibers and (C) MNF, (D) TEM image of MNF. Reproduced with permission.^[152] Copyright 2016, Elsevier.

Figure 15.

Smart magnetic thermal platform based on MNPs/DOX/poly(NIPAAm-coHMAAm) nanofibers. Reproduced with permission.^[153] Copyright 2013, Wiley-VCH.

Figure 16.

(a, b) SEM images and (c, d) TEM images of RBP and 5-FC co-loaded core−shell nanofibers. Reproduced with permission.^[158] Copyright 2015, American Chemical Society.

Figure 17.

Step-by-step synthesis of CTO–RB–AuNR composite nanofibers. Reproduced with permission.^[163] Copyright 2017, Royal Society of Chemistry.