51
|
Wolfram J, Zhu M, Yang Y, Shen J, Gentile E, Paolino D, Fresta M, Nie G, Chen C, Shen H, Ferrari M, Zhao Y. Safety of Nanoparticles in Medicine. Curr Drug Targets 2015; 16:1671-81. [PMID: 26601723 PMCID: PMC4964712 DOI: 10.2174/1389450115666140804124808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Nanomedicine involves the use of nanoparticles for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. During the past two decades, a growing number of nanomedicines have received regulatory approval and many more show promise for future clinical translation. In this context, it is important to evaluate the safety of nanoparticles in order to achieve biocompatibility and desired activity. However, it is unwarranted to make generalized statements regarding the safety of nanoparticles, since the field of nanomedicine comprises a multitude of different manufactured nanoparticles made from various materials. Indeed, several nanotherapeutics that are currently approved, such as Doxil and Abraxane, exhibit fewer side effects than their small molecule counterparts, while other nanoparticles (e.g. metallic and carbon-based particles) tend to display toxicity. However, the hazardous nature of certain nanomedicines could be exploited for the ablation of diseased tissue, if selective targeting can be achieved. This review discusses the mechanisms for molecular, cellular, organ, and immune system toxicity, which can be observed with a subset of nanoparticles. Strategies for improving the safety of nanoparticles by surface modification and pretreatment with immunomodulators are also discussed. Additionally, important considerations for nanoparticle safety assessment are reviewed. In regards to clinical application, stricter regulations for the approval of nanomedicines might not be required. Rather, safety evaluation assays should be adjusted to be more appropriate for engineered nanoparticles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joy Wolfram
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience & Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Motao Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience & Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jianliang Shen
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Emanuela Gentile
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Health Science, University Magna Grœcia of Catanzaro, Germaneto 88100, Italy
| | - Donatella Paolino
- Department of Health Science, University Magna Grœcia of Catanzaro, Germaneto 88100, Italy
| | - Massimo Fresta
- Department of Health Science, University Magna Grœcia of Catanzaro, Germaneto 88100, Italy
| | - Guangjun Nie
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience & Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Chunying Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience & Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Haifa Shen
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Mauro Ferrari
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yuliang Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience & Technology of China, Beijing 100190, China
- Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|