STIMULUS-RESPONSIVE NANOCARRIERS FOR CANCER THERAPY

Stimuli-responsive nanomedicine has emerged as a promising strategy to improve the efficacy and safety of cancer therapy through controlled and site-specific drug delivery. These smart nanocarriers are designed to respond to endogenous stimuli and exogenous stimuli. On activation, they enable drug release at tumor sites, increasing therapeutic efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity. Recent advances in polymeric, lipid-based, inorganic, and hybrid nanocarriers have expanded their applications in chemotherapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and combination treatments. In addition, technologies such as biomimetic nanoparticles, artificial intelligence-assisted nanomedicine design, and multifunctional therapeutic and diagnostic platforms are accelerating the development of next-generation cancer therapeutics. This review highlights the fundamental mechanisms, recent developments, therapeutic applications, and challenges of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, showing their potential to improve precision oncology and personalized cancer treatment.