Nanomedicine for efficacious cancer treatment: how bioengineering technologies are turning an elusive dream into reality

Session Title for Website and App: Nanomedicine for efficacious cancer treatment: how bioengineering technologies are turning an elusive dream into reality

Special Session Program

Description: The promise of nanomedicine to treat tumors with precision targeting and fewer side-effects has the potential to revolutionize clinical practice. However, the macro- and microscopic complexities of cancer have thus far allowed the disease to evade a traditional, and possibly too simplistic, “cancer-targeted drug delivery” approach. It has become apparent that cancer cell genetic aberrations and epi-genetic alterations are only part of the reason that tumors resist treatment. In contrast to non-cancerous conditions, the tumor microenvironment (TME) presents major obstacles to successful nanotherapy as cancer cells alter the TME in ways that promote their survival while thwarting normal physiological functions. For example, irregular vascularization prevents adequate perfusion of tumor tissue and hinders diffusion of blood-borne nanovectors from the systemic circulation. Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) further obstructs diffusive transport and alters biophysical tissue characteristics to facilitate tumor growth and infiltration into surrounding tissue. Tumor-immune cell interactions are shifted towards promoting cancer cell survival and resistance to treatment. Additionally, the abnormal TME conditions dysregulate cancer cell metabolism, which in turn alters cell functions to reinforce these pathological conditions. Recent developments in biomedical engineering technologies have emerged to address the challenges presented by cancer complexities and potentially shift nanomedicine towards efficacious treatment. In this session, we explore these exciting developments, including advances in nanoparticle design through advanced manufacturing techniques, biophysical assessment of tumor tissue characteristics, mathematical modeling of tumor-immune interactions, and predictive evaluation of metabolism alterations. Altogether, the interdisciplinary application of robotics, microscopy, mathematical modeling, and machine learning could usher a new era in cancer nanomedicine.