An update on nanoparticle usage in breast cancer imaging

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionThe objective of this literature review is to highlight both the recent promises of Nanoparticles (NPs) for breast imaging and potential solutions to the challenges that arise with using different types of NPs.MethodsWe searched for key terms on PubMed including NPs, MRI, CT, and contrast agent (CA). We selected 57 articles published from 2012 to 2020 and discussed NP such as nanocarriers, titanium oxide tubes, and carbon nanotubes, as well as gold, gold‐silver alloy, silver, magnetic, gadolinium dicarbide, allochroic, and calcium phosphate.ResultsWhile early studies on NPs investigated their ability to target breast cancer stem cells, as well as enable the visualization of metastasis and deliver therapeutic agents with minimal toxicity, newer particles demonstrate a greater multifunctionality of NPs than previously thought. In this review, we use existing research to demonstrate the surprisingly broad range of applications of NPs with regards to breast cancer and imaging, which includes activating immune cells, identifying protein signatures for early‐stage breast cancer, and ablating tumors through a laser irradiation‐triggered photothermal effect.ConclusionWith the multifunctionality of NPs in mind and the challenges associated with imaging breast tissue, specifically mammographically dense breast tissue, the current knowledge of NPs should be reviewed for potential use in mammograms.