A Cross-Talk on Tumor Microenvironment Targeted Nanotherapeutics for Cancer Therapy and Diagnosis

Recent findings suggest that the cellular and extracellular materials surrounding the cancerous cells from an atypical tumor microenvironment (TM) plays a pivotal role in the process of tumor initiation and progression. It comprises an intricate system involving diverse cell types embracing endothelial cells, pericytes, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, various inflammatory cells, dendritic cells, and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The TM forming cells dynamically interacts with the cancerous cells via various signaling mechanisms and pathways. The existence of this dynamic cellular communication is responsible for creating an environment which is suitable for sustaining a reasonably high cellular proliferation. Nowadays, researchers are paying interest to utilize these TM conditions to mediate effective targeting measures for cancer therapy. The use of Nanotherapeutics-based combination therapy, stimuli-responsive nanotherapeutics targeting acidic pH, hypoxic environment, and nanoparticles induced hyperthermia are some of the upright approaches which are under vibrant exploration for cancer therapy. This review discusses TM and its role in cancer progression; and cross-talk understanding, opportunities and epigenetic modifications involved therein to materialize the capability of Nanotherapeutics to target cancer by availing TM.