Table 3 The list of the nanomaterials activated by thermal differences, photo-, electro-, redox-, photochromic-, electrochromic-, and pH-responsive nanomaterials and their reactivities

Pluronic F-127 (polyoxyethylene-propylene co-polymer)

Thermo-sensitive

High hydrophilicity, low toxicity, used frequently for high lipophilic chemotherapeutics

[286]

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylamide)-b-poly(DL-lactide)

Thermo-sensitive

Inhibited 80% growth of gastric cancers

[286]

1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine

(DPPH-2) liposomes

Thermo-sensitive

The plasma half-life of gemcitabine was increased from 0.07 to 2.59 h

[287]

Gold nanoparticle coated by polyethylene glycol (AurolyseTM)

Thermo-responsive

Laser irradiated ablation of prostate tissue with no toxicity observed

[288]

Mitoxantrone and SB-431542 loaded reduced graphene oxide

Photo-responsive

Near-infrared irradiation destroy primary tumor and inhibited metastasis in 4T1 in vivo tumor model

[289]

Phthalocyanine chloride disulfonic acid (AlP) and camptothecin prodrug nanoparticles

Photo-responsive

660 nm light irradiation induces ¹O₂ generation which disrupt the nanosystem and suppresses tumor growth and metastasis

[290]

PEG-methotrexate and indocyanine green loaded bismuth sulphide nanoparticles

Photo-responsive/ Redox-responsive

Nanosystem shows cellular internalization, proapoptotic behavior, and cellular cytotoxicity upon near infrared and redox responses

[291]

Keratin coated gold nanoparticles

Photo-responsive

Excellent biocompatibility, efficient cellular uptake, and localized photothermal heating capabilities have been observed

[292]

Nanoparticle composed of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) wrapped with bovine serum albumin shell functionalized with acidity-triggered rational membrane (ATRAM) peptide

pH-responsive

ATRAM facilitate the internalization of nanosystem in acidic tumor environment and release therapeutic cargo with no cytotoxic effect on healthy cells

[242]

Endosomolytic polymer nanoparticles loaded with 3pRNA

pH-responsive

Intratumoral delivery of NPs inhibited CT26 tumor growth and enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint blockade, and cause 30% complete response rate and generation of immunological memory that protected against tumor reoccurrence

[293]

Clustered iron oxide core within the polymer PPy-polyethylene glycol

Magneto-responsive

Nanosystem generate heat in response to an alternating current magnetic field and its exposure destroy the tumor cells and protect against tumor reoccurrence without any significant toxicity effect

[294]

Trastuzumab- doxorubicin

PVA/PMASH magnetic nanocapsules

Magneto-responsive

Magnetic targeting optimizes the intratumoral distribution and utilization to inhibit the tumor growth

[295]

Oleic acid, chitosan, and 5-FLU conjugated iron oxide nanoparticle (Fe₃O₄@OA-CS-5-FLU-NPs)

ROS-responsive

Induces cytotoxicity and morphological deformation with inhibition in colony formation of A549 and HeLa cells

[296]

Doxorubicin modified with a phenylboronic acid ester group and an amphiphilic polymer (DSPE-PEG) modified with internalized RGD (DSPE-PEG-iRGD)

ROS-responsive

Targeted delivery shows synergistic combined effect of photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy

[297]