Smart systems in bio-encapsulation for cancer therapy

Nanotechnology-based solutions have improved the therapeutical areas, offering the possibility to design smart nanocarrier-based systems for bioencapsulation. This strategy is attractive for the treatment of numerous diseases, especially for cancer, which is the second leading cause of death worldwide. To promote specific-tumor targetability and increase antitumor efficacy, as well as to induce a strong immune response against metastatic tumors, sophisticated nano-bioencapsulation technologies are under intense investigation. As an important advantage over conventional treatments, the nanostructured platform can carry and deliver anticancer drugs to specific sites through targeting mechanisms and under specific stimuli. This chapter provides a perspective on the global trends in emerging nano-biosystems for cancer therapy, describing their experimental, biological, and physicochemical characteristics. The understanding of the stimuli-responsive nanosystems should contribute to a rational design to overcome the challenges encountered in targeted cancer therapy seeking new directions in the oncology field.