Matrix metalloprotease triggered bioresponsive drug delivery systems – Design, synthesis and application

Engineering of drug delivery systems has evolved in recent decades from comparably simple designs that merely controlled drug release to complex, often multistage systems that respond to multiple biological or environmental stimuli. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes that are involved in numerous physiologic and pathophysiologic processes, including cancer. Therefore, these enzymes represent highly relevant targets for the development of novel bioresponsive drug delivery systems. The first part of this review summarizes major developments of the various types of MMP responsive drug delivery systems that have been achieved in the last decade and highlights promising strategies. The selection and incorporation of MMP sensitive elements into drug delivery systems as well as the interaction between MMP, drug delivery system and drug require additional scrutiny to avoid common pitfalls. Thus, the second part of this review focusses on strategies for successful selection and incorporation of MMP sensitive elements and on important design parameters related to the drug delivery system and the drug. This review will therefore provide a broad overview of successful MMP-sensitive drug delivery system designs and will inform about important design criteria for novel systems.