Materials selection for fused deposition modeling

Abstract

Smart stimuli-responsive nanocarriers have emerged as a transformative innovation in nanotechnology-based cancer diagnosis and therapy. These engineered nanosystems exhibit tailored responses to specific internal 72(e.g., pH, enzymes, redox potential) or external (e.g., temperature, light, magnetic fields) stimuli present in the tumor microenvironment, enabling site-specific drug release and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. This chapter explores the fundamental design principles, mechanisms, and multifunctional characteristics of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers. Emphasis is placed on their role in improving the precision of cancer diagnosis through contrast enhancement and biomarker-targeted imaging, as well as in therapy by facilitating controlled, localized delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. Current advancements in the development of dual- or multi-stimuli-responsive systems and their integration with imaging modalities for theranostic applications are critically reviewed. The chapter concludes by discussing challenges related to biocompatibility, large-scale production, and clinical translation, alongside future prospects in personalized nanomedicine. © 2026 by Apple Academic Press, Inc.