Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) have gained significant attention for their potential in cancer therapy, particularly in targeted drug delivery, imaging, and hyperthermia treatments due to their unique magnetic properties, biological compatibility and applicability. This literature review focuses on recent progress in the green-synthesized MNP, explores their mechanisms of drug delivery, and critically evaluates their clinical applicability. The gaps in the literature that this review addresses include the inconsistency in nanoparticle size and surface properties, the limitations in achieving sustained and predictable drug release, and the difficulties in maintaining long-term stability in physiological conditions. It also discusses potential future development, including smart nanotechnology, individual medicine, and AI-acquired platforms. These findings show how MNPs can increase precise oncology by increasing medical effect, reducing toxicity and lightweight real-time monitoring of treatments.

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as a transformative class of luminescent nanomaterials for biomedical applications, offering superior biocompatibility, photostability, and tunability compared to conventional organic dyes and inorganic quantum dots. This review distinguishes itself by establishing a critical "Structure-Property-Application" feedback framework. We comprehensively summarize the rational design of CDs, specifically elucidating how core size, surface chemistry, and heteroatom doping can be precisely engineered to tailor optical emission into the near-infrared II window. Furthermore, the versatile roles of CDs in cancer theranostics are critically discussed, encompassing their utility in subcellular tracking, image-guided surgery, and multifunctional therapeutic platforms such as photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and targeted drug delivery. Finally, we address the current challenges regarding scalability, reproducibility, and biosafety, providing a perspective on the future roadmap for the clinical translation of high-performance CD-based agents.

Peptide-based self-assembled nanostructures offer great promise for targeted drug delivery due to their intrinsic biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural tunability. However, their limited optical properties and lack of functional sites for selective targeting restrict their use in theranostics. Here, we report a fluorophore-integrated, pH-responsive dipeptide nanocarrier engineered from phenylalanine-tryptophan (F-W) conjugated with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD) as a fluorescent probe and vitamin B6 (VitB6) as a pH-sensitive unit. The resulting vitamin B6-modified nanoparticles (PS-Dox) exhibited charge reversal from negative to positive under mildly acidic conditions (pH 5.0), promoting doxorubicin (Dox) release, endosomal escape, and nuclear localization. PS-Dox demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and apoptosis induction in multiple cancer cell lines, while showing negligible toxicity toward non-malignant cardiomyocytes (AC-16 and H9C2). In vivo biodistribution and pharmacokinetic studies revealed increased tumour accumulation and superior tumour growth inhibition compared with Dox. Importantly, PS-mediated encapsulation effectively mitigated Dox-associated cardiotoxicity, a major limitation of conventional chemotherapy. Overall, this study establishes a vitamin B6-mediated, charge-reversible peptide nanocarrier as a biocompatible and efficient platform for targeted anticancer drug delivery, combining tumour-specific therapeutic efficacy with improved cardiac safety.

As an emerging class of smart nanomaterials, pH-responsive nanozymes are capable of realizing dynamic regulation of catalytic activity according to microenvironmental acidity and alkalinity. The material system encompasses noble metals, metal oxides, metal sulfides, carbon-based nanozymes, and metal-organic frameworks. Through engineering strategies such as surface ligand modification, heterogeneous atom doping and core-shell structure design, these nanozymes can achieve precise response to complex biological microenvironments, and show unique catalytic properties in the lesion site with specific pH. In recent years, pH-responsive nanozymes have been applied in various biomedical fields, such as tumor therapy, antimicrobial, wound healing, and anti-inflammation, to enhance therapeutic efficacy through controlled activation and targeted drug delivery. However, they still face many challenges in clinical translation, such as in vivo stability, toxicity assessment and precise regulation of activity. This paper reviews the research progress of pH-responsive nanozyme therapeutic systems and discusses the potential and challenges of integrating them with other nanotechnologies and therapeutic modalities, aiming to provide a reference and outlook for promoting their wider application in clinical diseases.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) poses a severe threat to human health, and the global prevalence of atherosclerosis-related diseases continues to rise, necessitating urgent exploration of novel strategies. Inspired by the close links between tumors and atherosclerosis (AS), as well as the clinical reality of their comorbidity, the present study encapsulated pitavastatin within liposomes and modified them with sialic acid-cholesterol (SA-CH) to achieve targeted drug delivery via peripheral blood neutrophils (PBNs). Compared to oral pitavastatin administration, sialic acid-modified pitavastatin liposomes (PIT-SAL) demonstrated superior efficacy in attenuating disease progression in atherosclerotic mice, with sustained therapeutic effects even after treatment cessation, suggesting the potential for eradication of AS. Notably, PIT-SAL additionally exhibited antitumor potential by effectively reducing tumoral cholesterol accumulation while enhancing T-cell infiltration. Collectively, our preliminary findings highlight the great translational potential of PIT-SAL as a targeted therapy for both AS and tumors, offering a potential breakthrough in managing these interconnected diseases.

ABSTRACT Amphiphilic microorganisms, such as Candida , Pseudomonas , Bacillus , Mycobacterium , and Acinetobacter , are well known to secrete biosurfactants. These surface‐active compounds, often referred to by various names including glycolipids, lipopeptides, and polymeric biosurfactants, have gained considerable significance owing to their diverse applications in industrial processes, chemical drug synthesis, and environmental remediation. Biosurfactants are preferred over conventional surfactants because of their inherent physicochemical attributes, including low toxicity, biodegradability, and stress tolerance. This review encompasses various applications of biosurfactants as drug delivery agents, including lowering interfacial and surface tension, solubilizing hydrophobic drugs, and facilitating the membrane passage of drugs. Glycolipid (sophorolipids and rhamnolipids) and lipopeptide (surfactin) molecules possess inhibitory effects against bacterial processes (antibacterial), inflammatory processes (anti‐inflammatory), and cancer processes (anti‐cancer), and thus represent potential candidates for combating infections involving biofilms and resistant pathogens. Their potential to act through vesicles and micelles leads to the encapsulation and delivery of therapeutic molecules with increased target specificity and bioavailability. Biosurfactants play a significant role in nanomedicine, particularly in nanoemulsion and liposomal drug formulations. Despite their immense promise, shortcomings such as expensive production, tedious purification, and lack of regulation limit their broader application. The present review demands innovative biosynthetic processes by virtue of microbial genetic manipulation and agricultural‐industrial by‐products to eliminate these shortcomings. Biosurfactants have another important attribute of immunomodulatory activity, enhance wound healing, and provide a complement to conventional therapeutics, thus acting as game‐changers in precision and regenerative medicine. By addressing knowledge gaps and integrating recent developments, this review establishes the translational potential of biosurfactants for green chemical drug discovery and health technologies.

Aim: To develop a bioengineered nanomedicine integrating vascular regeneration and nitric oxide modulation for precision therapy of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Materials and Methods: The nanomedicine (A-M@P-Q) was synthesized through mesoporous polydopamine/polydopamine (mPDA/PDA) coordination, functionalized with VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-targeting peptide (QK), and loaded with l-arginine. Therapeutic validation incorporated cellular hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) models and murine myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) studies, supported by in vivo biodistribution tracking and biosafety evaluation. Results: The A-M@P-Q nanomedicine demonstrated dual therapeutic efficacy: QK peptide promoted angiogenesis via VEGFR2 (Kdr) activation, while l-arginine restored NO homeostasis. In vitro studies revealed that both M@P-Q and A-M@P-Q enhanced NO production, downregulated cellular and mitochondrial ROS level, improved mitochondrial function, inhibited cell apoptosis, and promoted angiogenesis in H/R-triggered endothelial cells; however, A-M@P-Q exerted a stronger effect. Short-term in vivo studies found that A-M@P-Q enhanced phosphor-Kdr and NO level, inhibited cell apoptosis, and promoted early angiogenesis in myocardial I/R mice. Biodistribution study confirmed Kdr-targeted accumulation of M@P-Q nanoparticles in the infarcted myocardium. Systemic biocompatibility study showed negligible toxicity of the nanomedicine. Conclusion: This bifunctional nanosystem A-M@P-Q pioneers a coordinated therapeutic paradigm synchronizing neovascularization with NO promotion, establishing a clinically translatable strategy for I/R injury management through targeted myocardial repair.

Magnetoelectric materials, which generate electric fields in response to alternating magnetic stimulation, are increasingly recognized for their applications in neuromodulation, tissue engineering, wireless drug delivery, and cancer treatment. This study addresses the cytotoxicity concerns associated with heavy metals in traditional magnetoelectric composites by introducing a heat-mediated magnetoelectric approach utilizing biocompatible iron oxide nanoparticles and pyroelectric polymers, thereby enhancing biomedical safety. The nanoparticles were synthesized with controlled size and shape via thermal decomposition of iron oleate, employing an in situ temperature labeling technique that simplifies the synthesis process and ensures uniform particle formation. These nanoparticles, optimized for high heating efficiency, were combined with the pyroelectric polymer P(VDF-TrFE) to create composite films that exhibit a heat-mediated magnetoelectric effect. This effect involves an alternating magnetic field heating the nanoparticles, leading to reversible material depolarization and the generation of a pyroelectric current. We explored the magnetopyroelectric effect on cell differentiation, demonstrating excellent biocompatibility with neural progenitor cells and significant enhancement in neuronal differentiation, attributed to the synergistic effects of heat and electricity. The pro-differentiation mechanism of magnetopyroelectric stimulation involves phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase AKT pathway and calcium signaling. This heat-mediated magnetoelectric approach not only presents a potential for applications such as neuronal repair and targeted drug delivery but also provides a safer and more versatile alternative to conventional magnetoelectric materials.

Folate-conjugated chitosan/Zn-MOF for targeted 5-fluorouracil delivery in hepatocellular carcinoma.

This study aimed to develop a pH-responsive polymeric hydrogel for the controlled delivery of cytarabine for the treatment of acute leukemia. The polymeric hydrogel was synthesized via free radical polymerization using pluronic acid F127, PEG-800, and agarose as a polymer, and crosslinked via methylene bis acrylamide. The optimized formulation (PPA12) was investigated for cytarabine loading (%), thermal analysis, compatibility of formulation ingredients, swelling trend, morphology, release kinetics, and toxicity in rabbits. Cytarabine loading increased with increase in ratio of polymer, monomer, and pH. The developed hydrogels exhibited excellent swelling behavior at pH 7.4. Cytarabine release occurred in a controlled fashion over a time period of 24h. Based on the regression coefficient (R2), the best-fit model was of the zero order. Structural entanglement was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies, which confirmed the formation of a hydrogel blend. Toxicity studies have revealed no signs of ocular, oral, or dermal toxicity, thereby ensuring safety and biocompatibility. Therefore, these findings strongly suggest that the developed and optimized polymeric hydrogel (PPA12) is biocompatible, capable of delivering cytarabine at a particular pH, and can be a carrier of choice for targeted drug delivery.

Multifunctional magneto-theranostic nanoplatform, with integrate imaging and therapy in simple platform offer transformative potential for precision cancer management due to their strong magnetic properties, biocompatibility, and versatile theranostic capabilities. Here, we report for the first time the theranostic application of in situ mesoporous core-shell MIL-88A@CuFe2O4 nanohybrid, as an interesting smart platform for dual-mode T1-T2MRI and optical imaging with quantitative analysis, combined with pH-sensitive targeted drug delivery. The nanohybrid was fabricated via a simple in situ synthesis, where Fe (0) from the CuFe2O4 core serves as a Fe3+ source for MIL-88A shell crystallization in the presence of fumaric acid, producing a mesoporous structure with high porosity and strong magnetism. Fe3+ centers in the MIL-88A shell provide T1 contrast, while the CuFe2O4 core enhances both T1 and T2 signals, achieving robust dual-mode MRI (r1 = 73.0 mM-1 s-1, r2 = 700.9 mM-1 s-1). The mesoporous shell allows pH-sensitive controlled release of doxorubicin, and folate conjugation ensures active tumor targeting, while intrinsic doxorubicin fluorescence enables optical tracking of biodistribution in vivo. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo evaluations demonstrated high biocompatibility, selective cancer cell uptake, effective pH-responsive drug release, dual-modal MRI and fluorescence contrast, and significant tumor growth inhibition in a triple-negative breast cancer (4T1) mouse model. The nanohybrid's combination of high porosity, strong magnetism, dual T1-T2MRI contrast, targeted drug delivery, and therapeutic efficacy distinguish it from existing theranostic agents. This work highlights a theranostic application of MIL-88A@CuFe2O4 nanohybrids, demonstrating their potential as a unique multifunctional platform for precise cancer diagnosis and treatment.

3D-printed microfluidic integrated magnetic robot for biofluid analysis.

Medical and biological applications of Langevin-type ultrasonic transducers: A narrative review.

Elucidating the roles of TM7SF3 and LHFPL6 in the putative H+/OC antiporter function in the human brain capillary endothelial cell line, hCMEC/D3.

Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 outer membrane vesicles encapsulating oncolytic virus remodel tumor-associated macrophages and kill prostate cancer cells.

Engineering chitosan-functionalized liposomes for targeted drug delivery and biomedical applications.

Radiosensitivity enhancement of bismuth-based nanoparticles in radiotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hydrodynamic elements of aerosol flows for targeted drug delivery into the respiratory tract

A novel microbubble delivery platform with high payload of paclitaxel upon focused ultrasound for enhanced glioblastoma treatment.

Extracellular vesicles in diabetic kidney disease: Emerging mechanisms, therapeutic implications, and biomarker prospects.