Flavonoid-based nanomedicines to target tumor microenvironment

Cancer cells arise and grow in tumor microenvironment which consists of stromal cells and extracellular matrix. The dynamic interaction between cancer cells and different components of the tumor microenvironment is a critical step in cancer development and progression. Several therapeutic strategies were explored as promising approaches to target tumor microenvironment. Flavonoids have gained increasing importance in cancer therapy due to their high bioavailability, low toxicity, and affordability. Many flavonoids showed potent activities as potential cytotoxic agents and multiple nano- formulations were tested to enhance the therapeutic effect of flavonoids. In this review, a comprehensive analysis of flavonoid-based nanomedicine was provided with special emphasis on tumor microenvironment components as therapeutic targets. Studies discussed in this review provide a solid ground for researchers and physicians to consider flavonoid based nano- formulations as possible adjuvant therapies with conventional anticancer agents.