Esterase responsive release of anti-cancer agents from conjugated lipid nanocarrier and the regulatory considerations.

The release of active agents in tumors rather than normal tissues, limits systemic exposure and toxicities. Targeting over-expressed esterase enzyme in the tumor microenvironment can selectively release immune-active agents like Programmed Death-1 (PD-1) and PD-1 ligand inhibitors from ester-sensitive lipid nanocarriers, offering a novel approach compared with conventional therapies. PD-1 and PD-L1 association cause T-cell inactivation, whereas blocking their association improves their cytotoxic mechanism.

Lipid-based mesoporous silica nanoparticles: a paradigm shift in management of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a devastating disease, has the worst cancer prognosis in humans. It often develops resistance to common chemotherapy medications, such as gemcitabine, taxol and 5-fluorouracil. The dense stroma limits therapeutic efficacy in treating this disease.