{"title":"Metal coordination polymer nanoparticles for cancer therapy.","authors":"Zhengzheng Zhang, Isra Rana, Jutaek Nam","doi":"10.1042/EBC20253012","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Metal ions are essential elements in biological processes and immune homeostasis. They can regulate cancer cell death through multiple distinct molecular pathways and stimulate immune cells implicated in antitumor immune responses, suggesting opportunities to design novel metal ion-based cancer therapies. However, their small size and high charge density result in poor target cell uptake, uncontrolled biodistribution, and rapid clearance from the body, reducing therapeutic efficacy and increasing potential off-target toxicity. Metal coordination polymer nanoparticles (MCP NPs) are nanoscale polymer networks composed of metal ions and organic ligands linked via noncovalent coordination interactions. MCP NPs offer a promising nanoplatform for reshaping metal ions into more drug-like formulations, improving their in vivo pharmacological performance and therapeutic index for cancer therapy applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the inherent biological functions of metal ions in cancer therapy, showcasing examples of MCP NP systems designed for preclinical cancer therapy applications where drug delivery principles play a critical role in enhancing therapeutic outcomes. MCP NPs offer versatile metal ion engineering approaches using selected metal ions, various organic ligands, and functional payloads, enabling on-demand nano-drug designs that can significantly improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects for effective cancer therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":11812,"journal":{"name":"Essays in biochemistry","volume":"69 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12204019/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Essays in biochemistry","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20253012","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Metal ions are essential elements in biological processes and immune homeostasis. They can regulate cancer cell death through multiple distinct molecular pathways and stimulate immune cells implicated in antitumor immune responses, suggesting opportunities to design novel metal ion-based cancer therapies. However, their small size and high charge density result in poor target cell uptake, uncontrolled biodistribution, and rapid clearance from the body, reducing therapeutic efficacy and increasing potential off-target toxicity. Metal coordination polymer nanoparticles (MCP NPs) are nanoscale polymer networks composed of metal ions and organic ligands linked via noncovalent coordination interactions. MCP NPs offer a promising nanoplatform for reshaping metal ions into more drug-like formulations, improving their in vivo pharmacological performance and therapeutic index for cancer therapy applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the inherent biological functions of metal ions in cancer therapy, showcasing examples of MCP NP systems designed for preclinical cancer therapy applications where drug delivery principles play a critical role in enhancing therapeutic outcomes. MCP NPs offer versatile metal ion engineering approaches using selected metal ions, various organic ligands, and functional payloads, enabling on-demand nano-drug designs that can significantly improve therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects for effective cancer therapy.
期刊介绍:
Essays in Biochemistry publishes short, digestible reviews from experts highlighting recent key topics in biochemistry and the molecular biosciences. Written to be accessible for those not yet immersed in the subject, each article is an up-to-date, self-contained summary of the topic.
Bridging the gap between the latest research and established textbooks, Essays in Biochemistry will tell you what you need to know to begin exploring the field, as each article includes the top take-home messages as summary points.
Each issue of the journal is guest edited by a key opinion leader in the area, and whether you are continuing your studies or moving into a new research area, the Journal gives a complete picture in one place.
Essays in Biochemistry is proud to publish Understanding Biochemistry, an essential online resource for post-16 students, teachers and undergraduates. Providing up-to-date overviews of key concepts in biochemistry and the molecular biosciences, the Understanding Biochemistry issues of Essays in Biochemistry are published annually in October.