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Review
. 2025 Jan;398(1):497-532.
doi: 10.1007/s00210-024-03469-x. Epub 2024 Oct 31.

Demystifying the management of cancer through smart nano-biomedicine via regulation of reactive oxygen species

Abhay Prakash Mishra  1 , Rajesh Kumar  2 , Seetha Harilal  3 , Manisha Nigam  4 , Deepanjan Datta  5 , Sudarshan Singh  6   7 , Neti Waranuch  1 , Chuda Chittasupho  8
Affiliations
Review

Demystifying the management of cancer through smart nano-biomedicine via regulation of reactive oxygen species

Abhay Prakash Mishra et al. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2025 Jan.

Abstract

Advancements in therapeutic strategies and combinatorial approaches for cancer management have led to the majority of cancers in the initial stages to be regarded as treatable and curable. However, certain high-grade cancers in the initial stages are still regarded as chronic and difficult to manage, requiring novel therapeutic strategies. In this era of targeted and precision therapy, novel strategies for targeted delivery of drug and synergistic therapies, integrating nanotherapeutics, polymeric materials, and modulation of the tumor microenvironment are being developed. One such strategy is the study and utilization of smart-nano biomedicine, which refers to stimuli-responsive polymeric materials integrated with the anti-cancer drug that can modulate the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the tumor microenvironment or can be ROS responsive for the mitigation as well as management of various cancers. The article explores in detail the ROS, its types, and sources; the antioxidant system, including scavengers and their role in cancer; the ROS-responsive targeted polymeric materials, including synergistic therapies for the treatment of cancer via modulating the ROS in the tumor microenvironment, involving therapeutic strategies promoting cancer cell death; and the current landscape and future prospects.

Keywords: Cancer; Cancer theranostics; Free radicals; Metallic nanomaterials; Nano-biomedicine; Reactive oxygen species.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethical approval and consent to participate: Not applicable. Consent for participate: Not applicable. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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