Nanoparticles For Cancer Theranostics Research Articles

Smart Multifunctional Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostics: Progress and Prospect.

Worldwide, cancer is the second most common cause of death. Chemotherapy and other traditional cancer treatments have toxicities that affect normal cells in addition to their intended targets, necessitating the development of novel approaches to enhance cell-specific targeting. The present work summarizes the scientific information on nanoparticles in cancer theranostics to provide a comprehensive insight into the preventive and therapeutic potential of nanoparticles in cancer. Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases are searched to collect all the recent (2015-2023) scientific information on smart multifunctional nanoparticles using the terms nanotechnology, cancer theranostics, and polymer. The use of nanomaterials as chemical biology tools in cancer theranostics has been thoroughly investigated. They demonstrate expanded uses in terms of stability, biocompatibility, and enhanced cell permeability, enabling precision targeting and ameliorating the drawbacks of conventional cancer treatments. The nano platform presents a fascinating chance to acquire multifunctionality and targeting techniques. The production of smart nanomaterials, specifically with regard to the advent of nanotechnology, has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The capability of nanoparticles to functionalize with a variety of biosubstrates, including aptamers, antibodies, DNA, and RNA, and their broad surface area allow them to encapsulate a huge number of molecules, contributing to their theranostic effect. Comparatively speaking, economical, easily produced, and less toxic nanomaterials formed from biological sources are thought to have benefits over those made using conventional processes. The present study highlights the uses of several nanoparticles (NPs), and describes numerous cancer theranostics methodologies. The benefits and difficulties preventing their adoption in cancer treatment and diagnostic applications are also critically reviewed. The use of smart nanomaterials, according to this review's findings, can considerably advance cancer theranostics and open up new avenues for tumor detection and treatment.

Review on Metal-Based Theranostic Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy and Imaging.

Theranostic agents are promising due to their ability to diagnose, treat and monitor different types of cancer using a variety of imaging modalities. The advantage specifically of nanoparticles is that they can accumulate easily at the tumor site due to the large gaps in blood vessels near tumors. Such high concentration of theranostic agents at the target site can lead to enhancement in both imaging and therapy. This article provides an overview of nanoparticles that have been used for cancer theranostics, and the different imaging, treatment options and signaling pathways that are important when using nanoparticles for cancer theranostics. In particular, nanoparticles made of metal elements are emphasized due to their wide applications in cancer theranostics. One important aspect discussed is the ability to combine different types of metals in one nanoplatform for use as multimodal imaging and therapeutic agents for cancer.

Bio-Inspired Smart Nanoparticles in Enhanced Cancer Theranostics and Targeted Drug Delivery.

Globally, a significant portion of deaths are caused by cancer.Compared with traditional treatment, nanotechnology offers new therapeutic options for cancer due to its ability to selectively target and control drug release. Among the various routes of nanoparticle synthesis, plants have gained significant recognition. The tremendous potential of medicinal plants in anticancer treatments calls for a comprehensive review of existing studies on plant-based nanoparticles. The study examined various metallic nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis using medicinal plants. Plants contain biomolecules, secondary metabolites, and coenzymes that facilitate the reduction of metal ions into nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are believed to be potential antioxidants and cancer-fighting agents. This review aims at the futuristic intuitions of biosynthesis and applications of plant-based nanoparticles in cancer theranostics.

Recent Advances in Functionalized Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostics.

Cancer theranostics is the combination of diagnosis and therapeutic approaches for cancer, which is essential in personalized cancer treatment. The aims of the theranostics application of nanoparticles in cancer detection and therapy are to reduce delays in treatment and hence improve patient care. Recently, it has been found that the functionalization of nanoparticles can improve the efficiency, performance, specificity and sensitivity of the structure, and increase stability in the body and acidic environment. Moreover, functionalized nanoparticles have been found to possess a remarkable theranostic ability and have revolutionized cancer treatment. Each cancer treatment modality, such as MRI-guided gene therapy, MRI-guided thermal therapy, magnetic hyperthermia treatment, MRI-guided chemotherapy, immunotherapy, photothermal and photodynamic therapy, has its strengths and weaknesses, and combining modalities allows for a better platform for improved cancer control. This is why cancer theranostics have been investigated thoroughly in recent years and enabled by functionalized nanoparticles. In this topical review, we look at the recent advances in cancer theranostics using functionalized nanoparticles. Through understanding and updating the development of nanoparticle-based cancer theranostics, we find out the future challenges and perspectives in this novel type of cancer treatment.

Emerging Roles of Green-Synthesized Chalcogen and Chalcogenide Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostics

The last few decades have seen an overwhelming increase in the amount of research carried out on the use of inorganic nanoparticles. More fascinating is the tremendous progress made in the use of chalcogen and chalcogenide nanoparticles in cancer theranostics. These nanomaterials, which were initially synthesized through chemical methods, have now been efficiently produced using different plant materials. The paradigm shift towards the biogenic route of nanoparticle synthesis stems from its superior advantages of biosafety, eco-friendliness, and simplicity, among others. Despite a large number of reviews available on inorganic nanoparticle synthesis through green chemistry, there is currently a dearth of information on the green synthesis of chalcogens and chalcogenides for cancer research. Nanoformulations involving chalcogens such as sulfur, selenium, and tellurium and their respective chalcogenides have recently emerged as promising tools in cancer therapeutics and diagnosis. Similar to other inorganic nanoparticles, chalcogens and chalcogenides have been synthesized using plant extracts and their purified biomolecules. In this review, we provide an up-to-date discussion of the recent progress that has been made in the plant-mediated synthesis of chalcogens and chalcogenides with a special focus on their application in cancer theranostics.

Recent advancements of biogenic iron nanoparticles in cancer theranostics

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, which generates an immediate requirement for developing therapeutic and diagnostic tools to treat different kinds of cancer. Further, the onset of nanobiotechnology has opened the gateways for the development and research at the nanoscale levels. The unique size of nanoparticles helps them create distinguished properties that differentiate them from the bulk matter and hence awakens their more potentialities and utilities in multiple domains. However, one of the highly studied nanoparticles for the treatment of cancer is the iron nanoparticle because it shows high magnetism, as well as their unique structure, which helps them act as an efficient anticancer agent. Further, the biogenic iron nanoparticles are biocompatible and less toxic due to their bio-based synthesis routes, which use microorganisms, plants, biomolecules, etc. Hence, this featured article is dedicated to enhancing the knowledge on the potentialities of biologically synthesized iron nanoparticles in cancer therapy and diagnostics.

Engineered Polymer Nanoplatforms for Targeted Tumor Cells and Controlled Release Cargos to Enhance Cancer Treatment.

Cancer is composed of a series of uncontrollable cells, which finally form tumors to negatively impact the functions of the body and induce other serious diseases, even leading to death. During the last decades, scientists have devoted great efforts to study cancer; however, there are no effective diagnoses and treatments. Nanomaterials have attracted great attention in the biomedical field in recent years, which are widely used as optical imaging probes and delivery systems for cancer therapy. Among the numerous nanomaterials, polymeric nanoparticles occupy a prominent position because of their tunable micro-size, multifunctional surface, prominent biocompatibility and high drug-carrying capacity. These significant advantages of polymeric nanomaterials have significance over the traditional nanomaterials and have become a potential therapy for cancer. In this review, we focus on the applications of polymeric nanoparticles in cancer theranostics, especially as the drug delivery systems for cancer treatment. This review provides an overview on the advancement of synthesis, application of polymeric nanoparticles- based drug delivery systems and highlights the evaluation for cancer therapy.

ZnO nanocrystals shuttled by extracellular vesicles as effective Trojan nano-horses against cancer cells.

AimThe effective application of nanoparticles in cancer theranostics is jeopardized by their aggregation in biological media, rapid degradation and clearance. The design of biomimetic nanoconstructs with enhanced colloidal stability and non-immunogenicity is therefore essential. We propose naturally stable cell-derived extracellular vesicles to encapsulate zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocrystals as efficacious nanodrugs, to obtain highly biomimetic and stable Trojan nano-horses (TNHs).Materials & methodsCoupling efficiency, biostability, cellular cytotoxicity and internalization were tested.Results In vitro studies showed a high internalization of TNHs into cancer cells and efficient cytotoxic activity thanks to ZnO intracellular release.ConclusionTNHs represent an efficient biomimetic platform for future nanotheranostic applications, with biomimetic extracellular vesicle-lipid envelope, facilitated ZnO cellular uptake and potential therapeutic implications.

Recent Trends of the Bio-Inspired Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostics.

In recent years, various nanomaterials have emerged as an exciting tool in cancer theranostic applications due to their multifunctional property and intrinsic molecular property aiding effective diagnosis, imaging, and successful therapy. However, chemically synthesized nanoparticles have several issues related to the cost, toxicity and effectiveness. In this context, bio-inspired nanoparticles (NPs) held edges over conventionally synthesized nanoparticles due to their low cost, easy synthesis and low toxicity. In this present review article, a detailed overview of the cancer theranostics applications of various bio-inspired has been provided. This includes the recent examples of liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, protein nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, and viral nanoparticles. Finally, challenges and the future scopes of these NPs in cancer therapy and diagnostics applications are highlighted.

Molecular Engineering of Near-Infrared Light-Responsive BODIPY-Based Nanoparticles with Enhanced Photothermal and Photoacoustic Efficiencies for Cancer Theranostics.

Background: Engineering a single organic-molecule-based nanoparticle integrating precise diagnosis and effective therapy is of great significance for cancer treatment and future clinical applications but remains a great challenge. The goal of this study is to explore small organic molecule-based nanoparticles with high photothermal conversion efficiency for photoacoustic imaging-guided therapy.Methods: Heptacyclic B, O-chelated BODIPY structure (namely Boca-BODIPY) with strong near-infrared (NIR) absorption was designed as a theranostic agent through simply molecular engineering, in which heavy atoms and alkyl chains were introduced to promote its application for tumor theranostics. The Boca-BODIPY molecules are further encapsulated in reduced bovine serum albumin (BSA) through self-assembly.Results: The BSA-Boca-BODIPY exhibited excellent biocompatibility, extraordinary stability and high photothermal conversion efficiency up to 58.7%. The nanoparticles could dramatically enhance photoacoustic contrast of the tumor region, and the signal-to-noise ratio was increased about 14 times at 10 h post intravenous injection in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. In addition, the nanoassemblies can efficiently convert laser energy (808 nm, 0.75 w cm-2, 5min) into hyperthermia for tumor ablation. Under the photoacoustic imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT), the 4T1 cancer cells were efficiently killed, no tumor recurrence and PTT-induced toxicity is observed.Conclusions: Molecular engineering is a promising way to design organic-molecule-based nanoparticles for cancer theranostics. Other organic-molecule-based nanoparticles which show great promise for imaging-guided cancer precision therapy can be engineered through this method.

A platform technology for the bioconjugation of nanoparticles in cancer theranostics

A platform technology for the bioconjugation of nanoparticles in cancer theranostics

Combining Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Photothermal Therapy of CuS@BSA Nanoparticles for Cancer Theranostics

The treatment of tumors has been a wide concern by a large number of scientific researchers. Combining magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with photothermal therapy (PTT) enables cancer theranostics to be more efficient and accurate. Herein, we synthesized CuS@BSA nanoparticles with an average grain diameter of about 16.5 nm through a facile one-pot eco-friendly and user-friendly strategy and it was found to have strong near-infrared absorption property and magnetic resonance imaging ability so that it can be utilized as a multifunctional agent for cancer theranostic. The in vitro toxicity study showed that CuS@BSA nanoparticles with low toxicity could kill cancer cells with the 980 nm NIR laser effectively. Furthermore, they exhibit a certain value of relaxivity (r1 = 0.26 mM–1·s–1) compared to that of clinically widely used reagent Magnevist (r1 = 3.13 mM–1·s–1). The resulting product of CuS@BSA nanoparticles with their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photothermal therapeutic capabilities could repres...

Cyanine based Nanoprobes for Cancer Theranostics.

Cyanine dyes are greatly accredited in the development of non-invasive therapy that can "see" and "treat" tumor cells via imaging, photothermal and photodynamic treatment. However, these dyes suffer from poor pharmacokinetics inducing severe toxicity to normal cells, insufficient accumulation in tumor regions and rapid photobleaching when delivered in free forms. Nanoparticles engineered to encapsulate these compounds and delivering them into tumor regions have increased rapidly, however, so far, these nanoparticles (NPs) have not proved to be so effective to circumvent existing challenges. Newly designed multifunctional smart nanocarriers that can improve phototherapeutic properties of these dyes, co-encapsulate multiple potent therapeutic compounds, and simultaneously overcome limitations related to tumor recurrence, metastases, limited intracellular uptake, and tumor hypoxia have potential to revolutionize modern paradigm of cancer therapy. Such cyanine based multifunctional nanocarriers integrating imaging and therapy in a single platform can effectively produce better clinical outcomes in cancer treatment. This review briefly summarizes recent advancements of cyanine nanoprobes that are currently used as imaging/phototherapeutic agents in unimodal/bimodal/trimodal cancer theranostics. Finally, we conclude this review by addressing challenges of pre-existing therapeutic systems and designs adopted to overcome them with a brief insight assimilating future perspective of emerging cyanine-based NPs in cancer theranostics.

Excitation-Selectable Nanoprobe for Tumor Fluorescence Imaging and Near-Infrared Thermal Therapy.

The combination of diagnostics and therapeutics is growing rapidly in cancer treatment. Here, using upconversion nanoparticles coated with chitosan conjugated with a targeting molecule and loaded with indocyanine green (ICG), we develop an excitation-selectable nanoprobe with highly integrated functionalities, including the emission of visible and near-infrared (NIR) light, strong optical absorption in the NIR region and high photostability. After intravenous injection in tumor bearing mice, the nanoprobes target to the tumor vascular system. NIR lasers (980 and 808 nm) are then selectively applied to the mice. The results show that the emitted upconversion fluorescence and NIR fluorescence can be used in a complementary manner for high signal/noise ratio and sensitive tumor imaging for more precise tumor localization. Highly effective photothermal therapy is realized using 808 nm laser irradiation, and the upconversion fluorescence at 654 nm can be used for monitoring treatment effect during the thermal therapy. In summary, using the nanoprobes, outstanding therapeutic efficacy could be realized through flexible excitation control, precise tumor localization, highly effective photothermal conversion and real-time treatment monitoring. The nanofabrication strategy highlights the promise of nanoparticles in cancer theranostics.

Magnetic Nanoparticles in Cancer Theranostics.

In a report from 2008, The International Agency for Research on Cancer predicted a tripled cancer incidence from 1975, projecting a possible 13-17 million cancer deaths worldwide by 2030. While new treatments are evolving and reaching approval for different cancer types, the main prevention of cancer mortality is through early diagnosis, detection and treatment of malignant cell growth. The last decades have seen a development of new imaging techniques now in widespread clinical use. The development of nano-imaging through fluorescent imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to detect and diagnose cancer at an earlier stage than with current imaging methods. The characteristic properties of nanoparticles result in their theranostic potential allowing for simultaneous detection of and treatment of the disease. This review provides state of the art of the nanotechnological applications for cancer therapy. Furthermore, it advances a novel concept of personalized nanomedical theranostic therapy using iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles in conjunction with MRI imaging. Regulatory and industrial perspectives are also included to outline future perspectives in nanotechnological cancer research.

Research perspectives: gold nanoparticles in cancer theranostics.

High recurrence rates after surgical resection remain a formidable challenge in many cancers. Although chemo- and/or radiotherapy are often applied following surgery to prevent tumor relapse, these treatments are generally accompanied by serious side effects and challenges in their delivery that limit their effectiveness. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which possess unique physicochemical properties, have the potential to enhance the efficacy of these conventional treatment modalities. In this review, we briefly describe the current state of AuNP research in the area of cancer theranostics. Recent studies have investigated AuNPs' use as photothermal converters, drug carriers, radiosensitizers, and imaging probes in a wide range of applications for cancer diagnosis and therapy. AuNPs have promise in minimally invasive thermal ablation therapy, diagnostic imaging, intraoperative tumor margin delineation, and multimodal anticancer therapy. The successful translation of AuNPs into the clinic will have significant impact on the care of cancer patients using image-guided, minimally invasive approaches.

Au nanostructures: an emerging prospect in cancer theranostics

Au nanoparticles have been used in biomedical applications since ancient times. However, the rapid development of nanotechnology over the past century has led to recognition of the great potential of Au nanoparticles in a wide range of applications. Advanced fabrication techniques allow us to synthesize a variety of Au nanostructures possessing physiochemical properties that can be exploited for different purposes. Functionalization of the surface of Au nanoparticles further eases their application in various roles. These advantages of Au nanoparticles make them particularly suited for cancer treatment and diagnosis. The small size of Au particles enables them to preferentially accumulate at tumor sites to achieve in vivo targeting after systemic administration. Efficient light absorption followed by rapid heat conversion makes them very promising in photothermal therapy. The facile surface chemistry of Au nanoparticles eases delivery of drugs, ligands or imaging contrast agents in vivo. In this review, we summarize recent development of Au nanoparticles in cancer theranostics including imaging-based detection, photothermal therapy, chemical therapy and drug delivery. The multifunctional nature of Au nanoparticles means they hold great promise as novel anti-cancer therapeutics.

Surface modification of the TiO2nanoparticle surface enables fluorescence monitoring of aggregation and enhanced photoreactivity

Chemically and biologically modified nanoparticles are increasingly considered as viable and multifunctional tools to be used in cancer theranostics. Herein, we demonstrate that coordination of alizarin blue black B (ABBB) to the TiO(2) nanoparticle surface enhances the resulting nanoparticles by (1) creating distinct fluorescence emission spectra that differentiate smaller TiO(2) nanoparticles from larger TiO(2) nanoparticle aggregates (both in vitro and intracellular) and (2) enhancing visible light activation of TiO(2) nanoparticles above previously described methods to induce in vitro and intracellular damage to DNA and other targets. ABBB-TiO(2) nanoparticles are characterized through sedimentation, spectral absorbance, and gel electrophoresis. The possible coordination modes of ABBB to the TiO(2) nanoparticle surface are modeled by computational methods. Fluorescence emission spectroscopy studies indicate that ABBB coordination on TiO(2) nanoparticles enables discernment between nanoparticles and nanoparticle aggregates both in vitro and intracellular through fluorescence confocal microscopy. Visible light activated ABBB-TiO(2) nanoparticles are capable of inflicting increased DNA cleavage through localized production of reactive oxygen species as visualized by plasmid DNA damage detected through gel electrophoresis and atomic force microscopy. Finally, visible light excited ABBB-TiO(2) nanoparticles are capable of inflicting damage upon HeLa (cervical cancer) cells by inducing alterations in DNA structure and membrane associated proteins. The multifunctional abilities of these ABBB-TiO(2) nanoparticles to visualize and monitor aggregation in real time, as well as inflict visible light triggered damage upon cancer targets will enhance the use of TiO(2) nanoparticles in cancer theranostics.