Development of an effective drug carrier for targeted therapy in lung adenocarcinoma using ROS-responsive micelles

Lung cancer is the malignant tumour with the highest growing morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Lung adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is highly malignant and may lead to distant metastasis at an early stage. The standard treatment for lung adenocarcinoma involves a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, which is frequently associated with severe side effects. In response to this challenge, a safe and effective drug carrier has been designed to facilitate drug delivery. The surface of this polymer micelle is modified with reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive targeting ligands and cell-penetrating ligands. Pemetrexed (PMX) and baicalein (BAI) are encapsulated within the micelle. The micelles exploit the high expression of ROS in the tumour microenvironment and cell-penetrating peptides to deliver drugs safely and efficiently into tumour cells, thereby inhibiting the invasion and metastasis of these cells and ultimately suppressing tumour growth. This carrier holds significant potential for guiding clinical treatment strategies for lung adenocarcinoma.