Recent and future applications of ultrasound-activated piezoelectric nanoparticles for anticancer treatment: mini-review

Abstract

Piezoelectric nanomaterials have the ability to control cancer cells from a distance. Chronic stimulation using ultrasound-driven piezoelectric nanoparticles can reduce cancer cell growth by inducing cell cycle arrest. This method presents a promising solution to minimize undesirable effects. Numerous in vitro studies with various types of piezoelectric nanomaterials have shown that chronic stimulation interferes with multiple oncogenes, tumor suppressor gene, modifying the balance of cancer cell proliferation and calcium homeostasis, leading to the upregulation of K+ channel gene expression, and resulting in the arrest of the cancer cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase. Additionally, the stimulation affects the organization of mitotic spindles during mitosis and modifies the cytoskeleton capable of disrupting the normal function of cancer cells, leading to their destruction. Evidence of anticancer effects has been demonstrated in cells of osteosarcoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and glioblastoma multiforme, showing a potential wide antitumor effect of piezoelectric nanomaterials.