Stimuli‐Responsive Nanotheranostics

In recent decades, the incidence of cancer has increased significantly, which proves to be a great threaten human life, and brings heavy burden pain individuals, families, society. With cross-fusion traditional medical imaging targeting technology, molecular been expected help non-invasive quantitative observation cell occurrence, development metastasis at cellular level, is conducive grasp activity in vivo, also diagnose as early possible. Moreover, thanks combined therapy surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy immunotherapy, better treatment improved overall efficacy have achieved up now. As result, more lives can saved quality life improved. However, one big challenge remaining now responsive evaluation therapy. To date, it hard estimate curing effects exactly, nor appropriate dosage that needed applied. Consequently, difficult adjust plan truly personalized manner. Theranostics, with simultaneously therapeutic diagnostic functions, arguably greatest patient stratification selection. Meanwhile, considering rapid nanomedicine addressing biomedical challenges, nanotheranostics—that possesses advantages both theranostics nanomedicine—has leap forward years. nanotheranostic agents, effect information fed back time for guidance medication. addition, real-time impact nanotheranostics further augmented by introducing some exogenous or endogenous stimuli. Therefore, these agents are able control biodistribution stimuli-responsive nanotheranostics, enhanced safety efficacy, releasing payload only site where needed, provide specific monitoring response. This special issue on “Stimuli-Responsive Nanotheranostics” assembled recognize progress design fabrication novel nanoagents application disease diagnosis Their influence pathological microenvironments vivo addressed. includes 11 review articles four original papers, contributed world-leading researchers, broadly cover various important topics within this area. It widely accepted tumor microenvironment (TME) presents different characteristics compared normal tissues, such mildly acidic environment, hypoxia, overproduction enzymes, higher level reactive oxygen species. These distinct physiological features exploited internal stimuli cancer-specific theranostics. For example, hypoxia would lead sharp reduction drug delivery efficiency, Chunying Chen et al. solution using hypoxia-responsive theranostic (article number 2001277). They highlight principles, research progress, current limitations, prospects treatment. solve problem associated RNA interference, environment-responsive lipids proposed carriers siRNA. respond environmental changes during process, thereby facilitate efficient cytosolic siRNA silence target genes 2001294). Certain smart nanomaterials than stimulus TME. release intelligently. Won Jong Kim reviewed strategies, challenges critical considerations nanocarriers sensitive TME 2000834). addition improving effects, TME-responsive beneficial enhancing target-to-background ratio probes. Weibo Cai summarize developments internally multimodal improve noninvasive monitor response 2000690). Some suggested proliferation, invasion metastasis. understanding details, accurate even altering essential, effective Wenbo Bu found functional computed tomography (CT) contrast (FCTNAs) precisely through taking advantage overexpressed receptors, microenvironment, glutathione hypoxia. FCTNAs could cause significant CT value under tumor-specific environment 2000912). Recently, kinds enzymes were reported capability modulating Zhuang Liu present method enzyme nanoreactors attenuating extracellular matrix, amplifying oxidative stress 2001167). Cancer immunotherapy booming new anti-cancer strategy activating patients’ own immune system. Considering intrinsic immunogenicity, well function intelligent engineered nanoparticles (NPs), they emerging promising enhance conventional described Yanglong Hou 2000845). Apart from tumors their other diseases inflammation stroke featured unique environment. used selective phenotypic imbalance between M1 M2 macrophages induced inflammation-related disorders, propensity gold physicochemical modulate macrophage polarization, Ya Ding applications gold-based tracking treating inflammatory 2000818). Another example comes Qiangbin Wang's group 2001544), prodromal biomarker ischemic (i.e., peroxynitrite) induce Cy7.5 oxidation. developed nanoprobe highly detection based Cy7.5-conjugated quantum dots (QDs). The origin state probe “off” due competitive absorption excitation irradiation QDs. fluorescence activated NPs inflamed vascular endothelium VCAM1 binding peptide, accompanied oxidation light regions. Additionally, bioorthogonal chemistry an tool generation inside living systems, providing controlled situ activation prodyes prodrugs nanotheranostics. context, Vincent Rotello report “polyzymes” composed ruthenium-based catalysts encapsulated polymeric scaffold, protecting catalytic centers deactivation biological media, efficiently pro-fluorophores, transforming substantially less toxic prodrug anticancer cells 2001627). Besides stimuli, extensively applied controllable Light most flexible on-demand realizing delivery, photothermia photodynamic despite achieved, sequential liberation same multiple single nanoparticle remained light-controlled release. Gang Han's carrier wavelength-selectively sequentially photolyzed two payloads cells, orderly controlling events 2000321). limitation light-related poor tissue penetration light, making reach deep tissues. Magnetic fields therefore serve Iron oxide typical magnetic nanomaterial powerful capabilities “seek, sense, attack” diseased components assistance field. Stathis Karathanasis give summary rationale advances iron 2001044). resonance (MRI) fields. Recently MRI alter relaxation signal change, reflect conditions interest. reason, Hua Ai comprehensively discuss strategies designing (2001091). Radioactive rays emerged another kind external Radionuclides Cerenkov radiation source activate photosensitizers imaging, therapy, radiotherapy 2000802). polymers capable conformational chemical upon them appealing candidates fabricating agents. Responsive polymer brushes whose responsiveness tuned brush thickness, density, chemistry, architecture. Julien Gautrot design, synthesis usage biosensors tools analytes biomarkers 2000953). Taken together, publications presented exemplify small embodiment efforts invested exciting We hope will bridge fundamental studies clinical translation promotor encourage experts get involved near future. like thank all authors invaluable support shaping issue, those work not included space constraints. furthermore gratefully acknowledge Dr. Jing Zhu her throughout process creating issue. earned his Ph.D. materials science Harbin Institute Technology (P. R. China) 2000. After short postdoctoral training Peking University, he worked University Tokyo 2002–2005 JSPS foreign researcher Brown 2005–2007 researcher. He joined 2007 professor science. His interests include nanoparticles, energy-related applications. received degree Nanjing Technology. full Fudan adjunct Shanghai Ceramics, Chinese Academy Sciences (SICCAS). multifunctional Ai, biomaterials, National Engineering Research Center Biomaterials, Sichuan (SCU); radiology, West China Hospital, SCU. focuses nanobiomaterials delivery. developes probes superparamagnetic paramagnetic molecules. Most carried out scanners. Zheng-Rong Lu M. Frank Rudy Margaret Domiter Professor Department Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University. B.S. M.S. Lanzhou Chemical Physics, Lanzhou, China. 1992, was associate became 1993 Wuhan assistant Pharmaceutics Pharmaceutical Chemistry Utah 2002 2006. CWRU since 2009. involve amino nonviral gene Twan Lammers obtained D.Sc. oncology Heidelberg 2008 pharmaceutics Utrecht year, started Nanomedicine Theranostics RWTH Aachen Clinic. 2014, promoted medicine. image-guided methods growth, angiogenesis, inflammation, fibrosis, several awards, including young investigator award Controlled Release Society.