Insights into stimuli-responsive diselenide bonds utilized in drug delivery systems for cancer therapy

Abstract

Due to the complexity and particularity of cancer cell microenvironments, redox responsive drug delivery systems (DDSs) for cancer therapy have been extensively explored. Compared with widely reported cancer treatment systems based on disulfide bonds, diselenide bonds have better redox properties and greater anticancer efficiency. In this review, the significance and application of diselenide bonds in DDSs are summarized, and the stimulation sensitivity of diselenide bonds is comprehensively reported. The potential and prospects for the application of diselenide bonds in next-generation anticancer drug treatment systems are extensively discussed.

Keywords: Anticancer drugs; Diselenide bonds; Drug delivery systems (DDSs); Reactive oxygen species (ROS); Redox responsiveness; Reduced glutathione (GSH).