The recent designs of dynamic nanoassemblies exploiting the tumor-targeting properties have received increasing attention for tumor imaging and therapy due to their tumor-specific delivery and enhanced antitumor efficacy. However, these designs are mainly focused on the macroscopic tumor therapeutic effect, while the nano-bio interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) remain poorly understood. This review aims to provide an overview of the development of tumor-responsive nanoassemblies towards the imaging, therapy and TME modulation in the tumor site. The tumor biology leading to TME formation and the potential TME properties for the practicable design of tumor-targeting nanoassemblies has been outlined. Furthermore, the various approaches for TME modification and the realization via dynamic nanoassemblies for enhanced tumor therapy were reviewed. Lastly, the prospects of these methods were briefly discussed. These strategies may inspire the development of new combinational cancer therapeutics.
An 11-year-old intact male Shih Tzu dog was referred to the University Veterinary Hospital (UVH) with history of coughing and laboured breathing. Auscultation revealed that the dog had a left systolic heart murmur grade V/VI at the base of the heart. Radiography showed findings of cardiomegaly and pulmonary oedema. Echocardiography findings revealed that dog has a myxomatous mitral valve disease. The mitral valve was severely thickened and prolapsed into the left atrium. Congestive heart failure (CHF) was treated with an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and diuretic. An anti-mucolytic agent was prescribed as a symptomatic treatmentfor the coughing that could be due to mild bronchitis. Dog did not response well with treatment as the frequency of cough was not reduced and the duration was longer each time. Pimobendan was then added on to the initial treatment and there was a tremendous improvement seen from the patient after that. Episodes of productive cough were noticed greatly reduced and dog was much more active at home post two weeks of ACE inhibitor, diuretic and dual-acting inodilator. We successfully maintained the dog with minimal coughing episodes. However, the prognosis is moderate to poor in this case due to possibilities of refraction towards medications.