Unraveling the Role of the Tumor Extracellular Matrix to Inform Nanoparticle Design for Nanomedicine

Abstract The extracellular matrix (ECM)—and its mechanobiology—regulates key cellular functions that drive tumor growth and development. Accordingly, mechanotherapy is emerging as an effective approach to treat fibrotic diseases such as cancer. Through restoring the ECM to healthy‐like conditions, t...

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Main Authors: Marco Cassani, Soraia Fernandes, Stefania Pagliari, Francesca Cavalieri, Frank Caruso, Giancarlo Forte
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202409898
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author Marco Cassani
Soraia Fernandes
Stefania Pagliari
Francesca Cavalieri
Frank Caruso
Giancarlo Forte
author_facet Marco Cassani
Soraia Fernandes
Stefania Pagliari
Francesca Cavalieri
Frank Caruso
Giancarlo Forte
author_sort Marco Cassani
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The extracellular matrix (ECM)—and its mechanobiology—regulates key cellular functions that drive tumor growth and development. Accordingly, mechanotherapy is emerging as an effective approach to treat fibrotic diseases such as cancer. Through restoring the ECM to healthy‐like conditions, this treatment aims to improve tissue perfusion, facilitating the delivery of chemotherapies. In particular, the manipulation of ECM is gaining interest as a valuable strategy for developing innovative treatments based on nanoparticles (NPs). However, further progress is required; for instance, it is known that the presence of a dense ECM, which hampers the penetration of NPs, primarily impacts the efficacy of nanomedicines. Furthermore, most 2D in vitro studies fail to recapitulate the physiological deposition of matrix components. To address these issues, a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between the ECM and NPs is needed. This review focuses on the main features of the ECM and its complex interplay with NPs. Recent advances in mechanotherapy are discussed and insights are offered into how its combination with nanomedicine can help improve nanomaterials design and advance their clinical translation.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-3fa79878c7244c7d96852912b04e4a1c2025-01-13T15:29:43ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442025-01-01122n/an/a10.1002/advs.202409898Unraveling the Role of the Tumor Extracellular Matrix to Inform Nanoparticle Design for NanomedicineMarco Cassani0Soraia Fernandes1Stefania Pagliari2Francesca Cavalieri3Frank Caruso4Giancarlo Forte5International Clinical Research Center St. Anne's University Hospital Brno 60200 Czech RepublicDepartment of Chemical Engineering The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 AustraliaInternational Clinical Research Center St. Anne's University Hospital Brno 60200 Czech RepublicSchool of Science RMIT University Melbourne Victoria 3000 AustraliaDepartment of Chemical Engineering The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 AustraliaInternational Clinical Research Center St. Anne's University Hospital Brno 60200 Czech RepublicAbstract The extracellular matrix (ECM)—and its mechanobiology—regulates key cellular functions that drive tumor growth and development. Accordingly, mechanotherapy is emerging as an effective approach to treat fibrotic diseases such as cancer. Through restoring the ECM to healthy‐like conditions, this treatment aims to improve tissue perfusion, facilitating the delivery of chemotherapies. In particular, the manipulation of ECM is gaining interest as a valuable strategy for developing innovative treatments based on nanoparticles (NPs). However, further progress is required; for instance, it is known that the presence of a dense ECM, which hampers the penetration of NPs, primarily impacts the efficacy of nanomedicines. Furthermore, most 2D in vitro studies fail to recapitulate the physiological deposition of matrix components. To address these issues, a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between the ECM and NPs is needed. This review focuses on the main features of the ECM and its complex interplay with NPs. Recent advances in mechanotherapy are discussed and insights are offered into how its combination with nanomedicine can help improve nanomaterials design and advance their clinical translation.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202409898cancer therapyECMmechanobiologymechanotherapynanomedicine
spellingShingle Marco Cassani
Soraia Fernandes
Stefania Pagliari
Francesca Cavalieri
Frank Caruso
Giancarlo Forte
Unraveling the Role of the Tumor Extracellular Matrix to Inform Nanoparticle Design for Nanomedicine
Advanced Science
cancer therapy
ECM
mechanobiology
mechanotherapy
nanomedicine
title Unraveling the Role of the Tumor Extracellular Matrix to Inform Nanoparticle Design for Nanomedicine
title_full Unraveling the Role of the Tumor Extracellular Matrix to Inform Nanoparticle Design for Nanomedicine
title_fullStr Unraveling the Role of the Tumor Extracellular Matrix to Inform Nanoparticle Design for Nanomedicine
title_full_unstemmed Unraveling the Role of the Tumor Extracellular Matrix to Inform Nanoparticle Design for Nanomedicine
title_short Unraveling the Role of the Tumor Extracellular Matrix to Inform Nanoparticle Design for Nanomedicine
title_sort unraveling the role of the tumor extracellular matrix to inform nanoparticle design for nanomedicine
topic cancer therapy
ECM
mechanobiology
mechanotherapy
nanomedicine
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202409898
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