NANOMEDICINE APPROACH FOR TARGETING THE TUMOR MICROENVIRNMENT

Tumor progression is tightly related to its complex microenvironment, of which the vascular system is a significant component that is crucial in the implantation of disseminated tumor cells. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is a multifactorial process that is critical for tumor progression and metastasis. Anti-angiogenic compounds has been widely investigated as a strategy to treat cancer however, several of these drugs are limited by poor pharmacological properties, such as low bioavailability, undesired biodistribution and short half-life. Moreover, over time the tumor aquire resistance to the specific therapy originated from different components of its microenvirnment. Nanomedicine can be used as a strategy to overcome many of these therapy limitations. We developed formulations based on oral available self-assembled nanomicelles composed of short di-block polymers. We demonstrate that by either conjugate or encapsuate small molecule anti-angiogenic drugs we can improve their foundemental properties such as tumor selectivity, toxicity profile of drugs and bioavailabilty. Importantly, we also propose the rational selection of drug combinations with different release kinetics in a single drug delivery vehicle to reduce tumor resistance to therapy.