Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles: a novel approach for melanoma treatment

Abstract

Melanoma is a lethal form of skin cancer with a short prognosis, frequent metastases, malignant development, and quick recurrence. Conventional treatment options have multiple shortcomings in treating melanoma, such as poor patient compliance, high cost, frequent side effects, and others. All these limitations demand new and innovative alternatives to address the rising incidence and burgeoning healthcare burden of melanoma. In recent years, stimuli-responsive nanoparticles have emerged as one such alternative. These smart nanoparticles are engineered to release drug molecules in response to specific internal or external stimuli, thereby enhancing the precision of drug delivery and improving the therapeutic outcome against malignancies like melanoma. Additionally, some of these nanoparticles are capable of generating reactive oxygen species and excess heat upon activation by specific triggers, enabling them to kill cancer cells directly. This makes stimuli-responsive nanoparticles one of the most versatile nanocarrier systems in the fight against melanoma. This review highlights various stimuli-responsive nanoparticles, their preparation, and modes of action, as well as summarizes certain research findings, emphasizing their potential applications in melanoma treatment. Finally, it ends with a quick overview of the difficulties and prospects associated with these nanoparticles.