Chen Liping, Li Qingqing
Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, Liaoning Province, PR China.
Department of Endoscopy, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Cancer Hospital of Dalian University of Technology, No.44 Xiaoheyan Road, Dadong District, Shenyang, 110042, Liaoning Province, PR China.
Mater Today Bio. 2025 Apr 19;32:101782. doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2025.101782. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Nanomaterials have emerged as a promising modality in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) tumors, offering significant advancements over conventional methods. In diagnostic applications, nanomaterials facilitate enhanced imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and fluorescence imaging, which provide improved resolution and more accurate detection of early-stage cancers. Nanoparticles (NPs), such as liposomes, dendrimers, and quantum dots, are increasingly employed for the targeted imaging of specific biomarkers associated with GI malignancies, thereby enhancing diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Liposomes are primarily used for drug delivery due to their ability to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs, dendrimers are useful for both drug delivery and gene therapy due to their highly branched structure, and quantum dots are primarily used in imaging and diagnostics because of their fluorescent properties. We also discuss their respective advantages and limitations. In therapeutic contexts, nanomaterials play a pivotal role in the development of targeted drug delivery systems. These systems address the limitations of traditional chemotherapy by improving drug bioavailability, reducing systemic toxicity, and promoting selective accumulation at tumor sites via both passive and active targeting mechanisms. Nanomedicines, including NPs and nanocarriers, enable the precise delivery of chemotherapeutic agents, nucleic acid -based therapies, and immunomodulators directly to cancer cells, thereby optimizing therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, nanotechnology offers the potential to modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME), a critical factor in overcoming challenges related to tumor resistance and metastasis. Despite these promising advancements, several challenges persist, including concerns regarding long-term toxicity, stability, and regulatory approval. Nonetheless, the integration of nanomaterials into clinical practice holds substantial potential for revolutionizing the management of GI cancers, paving the way for more precise, personalized, and effective therapeutic strategies.
纳米材料已成为胃肠道（GI）肿瘤诊断和治疗中一种很有前景的方式，相比传统方法有显著进步。在诊断应用中，纳米材料促进了增强成像技术的发展，包括磁共振成像（MRI）、计算机断层扫描（CT）和荧光成像，这些技术能提供更高的分辨率并更准确地检测早期癌症。纳米颗粒（NPs），如脂质体、树枝状大分子和量子点，越来越多地用于与胃肠道恶性肿瘤相关的特定生物标志物的靶向成像，从而提高诊断的敏感性和特异性。脂质体主要因其能够包裹疏水性药物而用于药物递送，树枝状大分子因其高度分支的结构而对药物递送和基因治疗都有用，量子点因其荧光特性主要用于成像和诊断。我们还讨论了它们各自的优点和局限性。在治疗方面，纳米材料在靶向药物递送系统的开发中起着关键作用。这些系统通过提高药物生物利用度、降低全身毒性以及通过被动和主动靶向机制促进药物在肿瘤部位的选择性积累，解决了传统化疗的局限性。纳米药物，包括纳米颗粒和纳米载体，能够将化疗药物、基于核酸的疗法和免疫调节剂精确地递送至癌细胞，从而优化治疗效果。此外，纳米技术有潜力调节肿瘤微环境（TME），这是克服与肿瘤耐药性和转移相关挑战的关键因素。尽管有这些令人鼓舞的进展，但仍存在一些挑战，包括对长期毒性、稳定性和监管批准的担忧。尽管如此，将纳米材料整合到临床实践中对于彻底改变胃肠道癌症的管理具有巨大潜力，为更精确、个性化和有效的治疗策略铺平了道路。
