Chitosan-functionalized bioplatforms and hydrogels in breast cancer: immunotherapy, phototherapy and clinical perspectives

Tianfeng Li; Milad Ashrafizadeh; Yuru Shang; Yavuz Nuri Ertas; Gorka Orive

doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103851

Chitosan-functionalized bioplatforms and hydrogels in breast cancer: immunotherapy, phototherapy and clinical perspectives

Drug Discov Today. 2024 Jan;29(1):103851. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103851. Epub 2023 Dec 12.

Authors

Tianfeng Li¹, Milad Ashrafizadeh², Yuru Shang³, Yavuz Nuri Ertas⁴, Gorka Orive⁵

Affiliations

¹ Reproductive Medicine Center, Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China; Department of General Surgery, Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China. Electronic address: litianfeng119@126.com.
² Department of General Surgery, Institute of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors, Carson International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518055, China; Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250000, China.
³ Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen 518055, China.
⁴ ERNAM-Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, 38039, Turkey; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: yavuzertas@erciyes.edu.tr.
⁵ NanoBioCel Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Bioaraba, NanoBioCel Research Group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain; BTI-Biotechnology Institute, Vitoria, Spain; University Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Oral Implantology (UIRMI) (UPV/EHU-Fundación Eduardo Anitua), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. Electronic address: gorka.orive@ehu.es.

PMID: 38092146
DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103851

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common and malignant tumor among women. Chitosan (CS)-based nanoparticles have been introduced into breast cancer therapy as a way to increase the targeted delivery of drugs and genes to the tumor site. CS nanostructures suppress tumorigenesis by enhancing both the targeted delivery of cargo (drug and gene) and its accumulation in tumor cells. The tumor cells internalize CS-based nanoparticles through endocytosis. Moreover, chitosan nanocarriers can also induce phototherapy-mediated tumor ablation. Smart and multifunctional types of CS nanoparticles, including pH-, light- and redox-responsive nanoparticles, can be used to improve the potential for breast cancer removal. In addition, the acceleration of immunotherapy by CS nanoparticles has also been achieved, and there is potential to develop CS-nanoparticle hydrogels that can be used to suppress tumorigenesis.

Keywords: Chitosan; breast cancer; drug and gene delivery; phototherapy; theranostic.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Carcinogenesis
Chitosan* / chemistry
Drug Delivery Systems
Female
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Immunotherapy
Nanoparticles* / chemistry
Phototherapy

Substances

Chitosan