Copper-cysteamine nanoparticles in cancer treatment: a systematic review.

According to a 2020 WHO study, cancer is responsible for one in every six fatalities. One in four patients die due to side effects and intolerance to chemotherapy, making it a leading cause of patient death. Compared to traditional tumor therapy, emerging treatment methods, including immunotherapy, gene therapy, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy, have proven to be more effective. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of gold nanoparticles in advanced cancer treatment. A systematic and extensive literature review was conducted using the Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, NCBI, and various websites. Highly relevant literature from 141 references was chosen for inclusion in this review. Recently, the synergistic benefits of nano therapy and cancer immunotherapy have been shown, which could allow earlier diagnosis, more focused cancer treatment, and improved disease control. Compared to other nanoparticles, the physical and optical characteristics of gold nanoparticles appear to have significantly greater effects on the target. It has a crucial role in acting as a drug carrier, biomarker, anti-angiogenesis agent, diagnostic agent, radiosensitizer, cancer immunotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal therapy. Gold nanoparticle-based cancer treatments can greatly reduce current drug and chemotherapy dosages.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as a second messenger in cell signaling and are essential for various biological processes in normal cells. Any aberrance in redox balance may relate to human pathogenesis including cancers. Since ROS are usually increased in cancer cells due to oncogene activation, relative lack of blood supply or other variances, and ROS do involve in initiation, progression and metastasis of cancers, ROS are considered oncogenic. Ironically, ROS production is a mechanism shared by all non-surgical therapeutic approaches for cancers, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy, due to their implication in triggering cell death, therefore ROS are also used to kill cancer cells. Because of the double-edged sword property of ROS in determining cell fate, both pro- or anti-oxidant therapies have been proposed for treatments of cancers. Based on either side, a number of drugs, agents and approaches are developed or in the progress of development, some of which have shown clinical promise. This review summarizes the current understanding on ROS-manipulation strategies in cancer treatment and underlying mechanisms. ROS-producing or -eliminating agents and the potential drugs in this aspect are categorized. An effort is made in particular to discuss the paradox in the rationales of two opposite ROS-manipulation strategies and the concerns for their use. Selectivity between tumor and non-tumor cells may depend on difference of their redox environments. A combinational set of cellular parameters including redox status, antioxidant enzymes expression, cell signaling and transcription factor activation profiles, namely "redox signaling signature", is waiting for being developed in order to choose ROS-elevating or ROS-depleting therapy specific to certain type of cancer cells. In clinical setting individualized choice of an optimal ROS-manipulation therapy may require an accurate and convenient measurements for ROS as well as "redox signaling signature" for prediction of efficacy and systemic toxicity.

Potassium iodide enhances the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect of copper-cysteamine nanoparticle mediated photodynamic therapy on cancer treatment

Cancer and neurological diseases are among the major causes of mortality and disabilities around the world. Neurological diseases are accounting for 12% of all fatalities. The major challenge in treating these diseases is the effective drug delivery to the disease site, where traditional approaches fail to give satisfactory results. As nanoparticles have many major benefits over conventional drug delivery, they have become the preferred method for drug delivery. The main objective of this review is to discuss the recent advancements and the role of nanoparticles in the effective treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Properties of nanoparticles, such as size, shape, and surface, utilized in medical therapy showed a promising impact on the efficacy of nano-drug transportation and, as a result, therapeutic efficiency. Many potentially helpful drugs for neurological disorders cannot enter the brain in therapeutic concentrations because of the blood-brain barrier, while nanoparticles can pass through it because of their size-specific properties. Besides contributing to bioavailability and half-life, nanoparticle surface properties are also important. The use of nanotechnology in medicine has demonstrated its importance in the field of medicine and led to the development of novel therapeutic alternatives for neurological disorders and cancer. The various types of nanoparticles, like liposomes, polymeric micelle, solid nanoparticles, quantum dots, and nanogels, have shown promising results in in-vitro models and clinical investigations. This review provides a concise description of the recent implications of various nanoparticles for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. It also helps in concise discussion of future opportunities of applications and challenges related to the production, efficacy, and safety of nanoparticles.

With the breakthrough in advance technologies, researchers are looking to devise novel approaches to control different types of deadly cancers. Progress in medicinal plants research and nanotechnology has drawn scientist’s attention toward green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles by exploiting plants secondary metabolites owing to its advantage over routinely used physical and chemical synthesis (simple, one step approach to reduce and stabilize bulk silver into silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), cost effectiveness, energy efficient, biocompatibility and therapeutic significance). Owing to control size, shape and functional surface corona, AgNPs hold considerable potentiality for therapeutic applications by opting different mechanistic pathways such as mitochondrial disruption, DNA fragmentation, cell membrane disruption, interruption of cellular signaling pathways, altered enzyme activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production leading to apoptosis etc In this review, we discussed the green synthesized AgNPs in the possible cancer treatment by harnessing phytochemicals present in plant extract. In addition, this review also provides recent advances and achievements in utilization of green synthesized AgNPs in cancer treatment and proposes mechanistic action for their anticancer and cytotoxic potential. By understanding the mechanistic action of AgNPs responsible for their therapeutic efficacy will help to devise customized therapies and treatment against cancer as a potential cancer therapeutic tool.

This comprehensive review delves into the burgeoning role of gold nanoparticles in both cancer treatment and diagnostics. The advent of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) vaccines has opened avenues for therapeutic and prophylactic applications, suggesting the potential to prevent or treat infections and various pathologies. The exceptional efficacy of AuNPs in cancer treatment is a focal point of exploration, with ongoing investigations into their utility for targeted delivery and therapy across diverse cancer types. A distinctive attribute of AuNPs lies in their ability to selectively target cancerous cells while safeguarding healthy cells, attributed to their unique size and shape that facilitate selective accumulation in cancer cells. Upon cellular entry and aggregation, they exhibit prompt activation to eradicate cancer cells. Furthermore, AuNPs possess inherent capabilities to enhance and modulate immune responses, functioning as both an adjuvant and a delivery system. Another advantageous feature is their amenability to functionalization with diverse molecules, including antibodies and drugs, augmenting specificity and effectiveness. This customization enables precise targeting of cancer cells and direct delivery of therapeutic agents to tumor sites, mitigating the adverse effects associated with conventional chemotherapy. Despite ongoing research, the promise of AuNPs as a potent tool in the battle against cancer is evident, underscoring their potential significance in future therapeutic strategies.

Nanoparticles have revolutionized the world with their enormous blessings specifically in cancer treatment. In past, conventional chemotherapy was the primary choice of treatment for patients. However, chemotherapeutics also had several pharmaceutical limitations such as stability, drug-drug interaction, drug resistance, and aqueous solubility. Reciprocally, dose curbing toxicity is significant with non-specific toxicity to healthy cells, loss of appetite, hair loss, peripheral neuropathy, vomiting, muscular fatigue, and diarrhea being the typical adverse effects. The introduction of multi-drug resistance (MDR) also posed a great threat for successful cancer treatment, whereby the tumor cells became resistant to many of the chemotherapeutic agents used. Nanotechnology-based novel chemotherapy opened a new horizon for the treatment of cancer. Particularly, nanoparticle-related medication is a highly potential newcomer for curtailing systemic toxicity via producing functionalized particles for specific treatment. It is also an alternative to circumvent multidrug resistance for possessing an ability to bypass the efflux mechanism correlated with this phenotype. Besides having various advantages in treatment, nanoparticles are also playing a key role in diagnostic entities. This paper aims to specifically outline the role of nanotechnology which it is playing in today’s era in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer with contemporary knowledge. To assess the role of nanoparticles in cancer treatment, this review analyzed all articles published from 2002 to 2021 in both Local and foreign journals. The article’s inclusion criteria were based on the article which contained relevant data regarding applications of nanoparticles in cancer treatment. Articles with copyright, irrelevant information, and lacking the full text were excluded. This paper will highlight the breakthrough, impediments, and prospects of nanoparticles in cancer treatment with an updated review.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important biological radicals essential for determining different stages and phenotypes of cells from quiescence to proliferation, differentiation, self-renewal and even apoptosis. Low ROS favours quiescence and self-renewal in contrast to high ROS that dictates proliferation, differentiation or apoptosis. Such wide variety of cell fates depends upon specific signalling pathways that regulate the cellular ROS, thus contributing to tissue homeostasis. Imbalance of ROS causes several pathological conditions including cancer which is associated with higher level of ROS that supports tumour development and progression. However, to restrain from the excessive oxidative damage of ROS, cancer cells efficiently control the antioxidative pathways, thus favouring its own survival and maintenance at the same time. Furthermore, importance of ROS has been an active field of research in ‘cancer stem cells’ (CSCs), a subpopulation of cancer cells with stem cell-like properties and features. CSCs possess low ROS level that make them resistant to the existing chemotherapy or radiotherapy that ultimately leads to cancer recurrence. Though several evidences have proved the role of ROS in self-renewal and stemness of CSCs, there is a lot to explore about ROS-regulated signalling mechanisms in CSCs. An understanding of ROS regulation in CSCs can provide an idea about the application of oxidative stress as a therapeutic strategy in treatment of cancer. In this book chapter, we have raised the debate as to whether ROS acts as ‘friend or foe’ for cancer cells. Moreover, exploring the significance of ROS and redox regulation in lung cancer stem cells has been our major focus. Finally, it is suggested that in order to get an effective treatment and recurrence-free survival, sensitization of the cancer stem cells to high ROS environment is a must.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. Despite the great advancement in understanding the pharmacology and biology of cancer, it still signifies one of the most serious human-health related problems. The current treatments for cancer may include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, but these procedures have several limitations. Current studies have shown that nanoparticles (NPs) can be used as a novel strategy for cancer treatment. Developing nanosystems that allow lower doses of therapeutic agents, as well as their selective release in tumour cells, may resolve the challenges of targeted cancer therapy. In this review, the authors discuss the role of the size, shape, and surface modifications of NPs in cancer treatment. They also address the challenges associated with cancer therapies based on NPs. The overall purpose of this review is to summarise the recent developments in designing different hybrid NPs with promising therapeutic properties for different types of cancer.

Herein, for the first time, we report copper-cysteamine (Cu-Cy) nanoparticles having Cu1+ instead of Cu2+ as an efficient heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst for highly selective cancer treatment. Initial measurements of Cu-Cy's hydroxyl radical generation ability show that it behaves as a Fenton-like reagent in the presence of H2O2 (100 μM) at pH 7.4, and that its Fenton-like activity is dramatically enhanced under acidic conditions (pH 6.5 and 5.5). Notably, Cu-Cy exhibits high stability and minimal copper release during the Fenton-like reaction, demonstrating its potency as a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst with a low cytotoxic effect. Through extensive in vitro studies, Cu-Cy NPs are found to generate a significantly higher level of ROS, thereby causing significantly more destruction to cancerous cells than to normal cells without the need for exogenous additives, such as H2O2. To the best of our knowledge, the average IC-50 value of Cu-Cy to cancer cells (11 μg/mL) is the lowest among reported heterogeneous Fenton-like nanocatalyst so far. Additionally, compared to cancer cells, Cu-Cy NPs display substantially higher IC-50 value toward normal cells (50 μg/mL), suggesting high selectivity. Overall, Cu-Cy NPs can participate in heterogeneous Fenton-like activity with elevated H2O2 under acidic conditions to produce significantly higher levels of hydroxyl radicals in cancer cells when compared to normal cells, resulting in selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells.

Brachytherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: Results in Local Control and Toxicity

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by cellular metabolism play an important role as signaling messengers in immune system. ROS elevated in the tumor microenvironment are associated with tumor-induced immunosuppression. T cell-based therapy has been recently approved to be effective for cancer treatment. However, T cells often become dysfunctional after reaching the tumor site. It has been reported that ROS participate extensively in T cells activation, apoptosis, and hyporesponsiveness. The sensitivity of T cells to ROS varies among different subsets. ROS can be regulated by cytokines, amino acid metabolism, and enzymatic activity. Immunosuppressive cells accumulate in the tumor microenvironment and induce apoptosis and functional suppression of T cells by producing ROS. Thus, modulating the level of ROS may be important to prolong survival of T cells and enhance their antitumor function. Combining T cell-based therapy with antioxidant treatment such as administration of ROS scavenger should be considered as a promising strategy in cancer treatment, aiming to improve antitumor T cells immunity.

Exploring the combined impact of cisplatin and copper-cysteamine nanoparticles through Chemoradiation: An in-vitro study

Cancer has become the leading cause of death. It is caused by disorder in the division and growth of cells. It can be treated after the confirmation of growth of cancerous cells. Conventionally it is done by x-rays or CT scans. Then the genes are destroyed or damaged or by controlling the blood supply to other genes. Now advancements in nanotechnology have enabled the physicians to treat the cancer. In this review we will discuss the recent developments in the cancer nanotechnology and how in a better way cancer can be treated in its early stages. Keywords: Cancer, nanoparticles, drug delivery, active target delivery, passive target delivery Cite this Article Sunila Mushtaq, Tahir Iqbal. A Review on Applications of Nanoparticles in Cancer Treatment. Research & Reviews: Journal of Physics . 2018; 7(3): 31–35p

The incidence of cancer is increasing and evolving as a major source of mortality. Nanotechnology has garnered considerable scientific interest in recent decades and can offer a promising solution to the challenges encountered with traditional chemotherapy. Nanoparticle utilization holds promise in combating cancer and other diseases, offering exciting prospects for drug delivery systems and medicinal applications. Metallic nanoparticles exhibit remarkable physical and chemical properties, such as their minute size, chemical composition, structure, and extensive surface area, rendering them versatile and cost-effective. Research has demonstrated their significant and beneficial impact on cancer treatment, characterized by enhanced targeting abilities, gene activity suppression, and improved drug delivery efficiency. By incorporating targeting ligands, functionalized metal nanoparticles ensure precise energy deposition within tumors, thereby augmenting treatment accuracy. Moreover, beyond their therapeutic efficacy, metal nanoparticles serve as valuable tools for cancer cell visualization, contributing to diagnostic techniques. Utilizing metal nanoparticles in therapeutic systems allows for simultaneous cancer diagnosis and treatment, while also facilitating controlled drug release, thus revolutionizing cancer care. This narrative review investigates the advancements of metal nanoparticles in cancer treatment, types and mechanisms in targeting cancer cells, application in clinical scenarios, and potential toxicity in medicine.