Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42793129›Full record

ReviewBiomolecules2026

Bufalin-Loaded Multifunctional Nanodrugs for Cancer Therapy: Mechanisms, Delivery Strategies, and Translational Perspectives.

Yanrui Yang, Xinyue Zeng, Yuqiao Hu, Yufei Su, Chengqi Li, Fajin Lv, Kehui Zhao, Jing Hu

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Biomolecules, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yanrui YangChinese Medicine Germplasm Resources Innovation and Effective Uses Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Southwest Specialty Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
Xinyue ZengCDUTCM-KEELE Joint Health and Medical Sciences Institute, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
Yuqiao HuChinese Medicine Germplasm Resources Innovation and Effective Uses Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Southwest Specialty Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
Yufei SuChinese Medicine Germplasm Resources Innovation and Effective Uses Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Modern Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
Chengqi LiChinese Medicine Germplasm Resources Innovation and Effective Uses Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, School of Modern Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
Fajin LvCollege of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.ORCID 0000-0003-3652-2524
Kehui ZhaoChinese Medicine Germplasm Resources Innovation and Effective Uses Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Southwest Specialty Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
Jing HuChinese Medicine Germplasm Resources Innovation and Effective Uses Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Southwest Specialty Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Bufalin is a naturally occurring bufadienolide with broad-spectrum anticancer activity. Unlike conventional cytotoxic agents, bufalin exerts pleiotropic antitumour effects by directly modulating oncogenic proteins and promoting their degradation. It also disrupts metabolic plasticity, induces multiple forms of regulated cell death, counteracts therapeutic resistance, and remodels the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment. However, the further application of bufalin is hindered by poor aqueous solubility, rapid systemic clearance, a narrow therapeutic window, and dose-limiting toxicity. Nanodrug delivery systems (NDDSs) offer a promising strategy for translating these interconnected pharmacological effects into spatially and temporally controlled therapeutic responses. This review summarises the distinctive anticancer mechanisms of bufalin and systematically evaluates the organic, inorganic, biomimetic, and hybrid nanocarriers developed for its delivery. Particular attention is given to tumour-responsive drug release, the targeting of cancer stem cells, the induction of ferroptosis and pyroptosis, metabolic modulation, sensitisation to phototherapy, and the activation of antitumour immunity. Finally, the major translational challenges are critically examined to inform the further rational development of bufalin-based nanomedicines.

Indexed as

Antineoplastic AgentsBufanolidesDrug Delivery SystemsNanoparticlesNeoplasmsAnimalsHumansNanomedicineAntineoplastic AgentsbufalinBufanolidesbufalincancer treatmentdrug deliverynanomedicine

Identifiers

PMID42793129
PMCPMC13604801

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.