Recent advances in strategies for extracellular matrix degradation and synthesis inhibition for improved therapy of solid tumors.

Recent advances in strategies for extracellular matrix degradation and synthesis inhibition for improved therapy of solid tumors. Curr Pharm Des. 2020 Jul 28;: Authors: Sandha KK, Shukla MK, Gupta PN Abstract Despite a great deal of efforts made by researchers and the advances in the technology, the treatment of cancer is very challenging. Significant advances in the field of cancer therapeutics have been made but due to the complexity of solid tumor microenvironment, specially their dense extracellular matrix (which make the conditions favorable for cancer growth, metastasis and act as a barrier to the chemotherapeutic drugs as well as nanomedicine), the treatment of solid tumors is difficult. Overexpression of extracellular matrix components such as collagen, hyaluronan and proteoglycans in solid tumor leads to high interstitial fluid pressure, hypoxia, vascular collapse and poor perfusion which hinders the diffusion and convection of the drugs into the tumor tissue. This leads to emergence of drug resistance and poor antitumor efficacy of the chemotherapeutics. A number of approaches are being investigated in order to modulate this barrier for improved outcome of cancer chemotherapy. In this review recent advances in the various approaches for the modulation of barrier of extracellular matrix of solid tumor is covered and significant findings are discussed in an attempt to facilitate more investigations in this potential area to n...
Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Curr Pharm Des Source Type: research