PSA targeted dual-modality manganese oxide–mesoporous silica nanoparticles for prostate cancer imaging

The Advancing Role of Nanocomposites in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

The relentless pursuit of effective cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies has led to the rapidly expanding field of nanotechnology, with a specific focus on nanocomposites. Nanocomposites, a combination of nanomaterials with diverse properties, have emerged as versatile tools in oncology, offering multifunctional platforms for targeted delivery, imaging, and therapeutic interventions. Nanocomposites exhibit great potential for early detection and accurate imaging in cancer diagnosis. Integrating various imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and fluorescence imaging, into nanocomposites enables the development of contrast agents with enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, functionalizing nanocomposites with targeting ligands ensures selective accumulation in tumor tissues, facilitating precise imaging and diagnostic accuracy. On the therapeutic front, nanocomposites have revolutionized cancer treatment by overcoming traditional challenges associated with drug delivery. The controlled release of therapeutic agents from nanocomposite carriers enhances drug bioavailability, reduces systemic toxicity, and improves overall treatment efficacy. Additionally, the integration of stimuli-responsive components within nanocomposites enables site-specific drug release triggered by the unique microenvironment of the tumor. Despite the remarkable progress in the field, challenges such as biocompatibility, scalability, and long-term safety profiles remain. This article provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments, challenges, and prospects, emphasizing the transformative potential of nanocomposites in revolutionizing the landscape of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. In Conclusion, integrating nanocomposites in cancer diagnosis and treatment heralds a new era for precision medicine.

pH-responsive albumin-mimetic synthetic nanoprobes for magnetic resonance/fluorescence imaging of thyroid cancer

The combination of magnetic resonance and fluorescence imaging in dual-modality imaging not only resolves the limitations of conventional single molecular imaging techniques in terms of specificity, sensitivity, and resolution but also expands the possibilities of molecular imaging techniques in diagnostics and therapeutic monitoring. Herein, a novel pH-responsive magnetic resonance/near-infrared fluorescence (MR/NIRF) nanoprobe (MnO2@BSA-Cy5.5) was successfully prepared by biomineralizing manganese dioxide (MnO2) with bovine serum albumin (BSA) while coupling fluorescent dye Cy5.5 for precise tumor detection and visualization. The synthesized MnO2@BSA-Cy5.5 nanoprobes were spherical particles of approximately 22.62 ± 3.31 nm in size, and their relaxation rates and T1 imaging signals were activated-enhanced in an acidic environment. Cytotoxicity assay and hematoxylin and eosin staining demonstrated that MnO2@BSA-Cy5.5 had low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility. More importantly, active targeting via solid tumor albumin-binding protein receptor and enhanced permeability and retention effect, the probe can be specifically aggregated to the tumor site of the 8305C tumor model and exhibit excellent MR/NIRF imaging properties. Our results show that MnO2@BSA-Cy5.5 has high resolution and sensitivity in tumor imaging and is expected to be applied as an MR/NIRF contrast agent for accurate diagnosis of thyroid cancer.

Exploring the effect of surfactants on the interactions of manganese dioxide nanoparticles with biomolecules

Interactions of manganese dioxide nanoparticles (MnO2 NPs) with vital biomolecules namely deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and serum albumin (BSA) have been studied in association with different surfactants by using fluorescence (steady state, synchronous and 3D), UV-visible, resonance light scattering (RLS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The esterase activity of serum albumin was tested in associations with MnO2 NPs and surfactants. The antioxidant potential of prepared NPs was also evaluated (DPPH method). Gel electrophoresis was carried out to analyze the effect of MnO2 NPs and surfactants on DNA. Presence of CTAB, Tween 20, DTAB and Tween 80 enhanced nanoparticle-protein binding. Tween 20 based nanoparticle systems showed long-term stability and biocompatibility. The quenching of BSA fluorescence emission in presence of MnO2 NPs alone and along with Tween 20 revealed stronger association of nanoparticles with proteins. Enhancement in the esterase activity (BSA) was observed in the presence of Tween 20. Furthermore, radical scavenging activity showed highest antioxidant potential in presence of Tween 20. The enthalpy and entropy assessment for protein-NPs association showed the predominance of Vander Waals interactions and hydrogen bonding. The synchronous fluorescence analysis highlighted the involvement of tryptophan (Trp) in the MnO2 NPs-protein interactions. The study evaluates the influence of surfactant on the associations of MnO2 NPs with the essential biomolecules. The findings can be crucially utilized in designing biocompatible MnO2 formulations for long term applications.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Current applications of nanomaterials in urinary system tumors

The development of nanotechnology and nanomaterials has provided insights into the treatment of urinary system tumors. Nanoparticles can be used as sensitizers or carriers to transport drugs. Some nanoparticles have intrinsic therapeutic effects on tumor cells. Poor patient prognosis and highly drug-resistant malignant urinary tumors are worrisome to clinicians. The application of nanomaterials and the associated technology against urinary system tumors offers the possibility of improving treatment. At present, many achievements have been made in the application of nanomaterials against urinary system tumors. This review summarizes the latest research on nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary system tumors and provides novel ideas for future research on nanotechnologies in this field.

Key Parameters for the Rational Design, Synthesis, and Functionalization of Biocompatible Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Over the last few years, research on silica nanoparticles has rapidly increased. Particularly on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), as nanocarriers for the treatment of various diseases because of their physicochemical properties and biocompatibility. The use of MSNs combined with therapeutic agents can provide better encapsulation and effective delivery. MSNs as nanocarriers might also be a promising tool to lower the therapeutic dosage levels and thereby to reduce undesired side effects. Researchers have explored several routes to conjugate both imaging and therapeutic agents onto MSNs, thus expanding their potential as theranostic platforms, in order to allow for the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This review introduces a general overview of recent advances in the field of silica nanoparticles. In particular, the review tackles the fundamental aspects of silicate materials, including a historical presentation to new silicates and then focusing on the key parameters that govern the tailored synthesis of functional MSNs. Finally, the biomedical applications of MSNs are briefly revised, along with their biocompatibility, biodistribution and degradation. This review aims to provide the reader with the tools for a rational design of biocompatible MSNs for their application in the biomedical field. Particular attention is paid to the role that the synthesis conditions have on the physicochemical properties of the resulting MSNs, which, in turn, will determine their pharmacological behavior. Several recent examples are highlighted to stress the potential that MSNs hold as drug delivery systems, for biomedical imaging, as vaccine adjuvants and as theragnostic agents.

Prostate-Specific Antigen Monitoring Using Nano Zinc(II) Metal-Organic Framework-Based Optical Biosensor

BACKGROUND

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an important cancer biomarker that is commonly utilized in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. The development of a PSA determination technique that is rapid, simple, and inexpensive, in addition to highly accurate, sensitive, and selective, remains a formidable obstacle.

METHODS

In this study, we developed a practical biosensor based on Zn(II) metal-organic framework nanoparticles (Zn-MOFs-NPs). Many spectroscopic and microanalytical tools are used to determine the structure, morphology, and physicochemical properties of the prepared MOF.

RESULTS

According to the results, Zn-MOFs-NPs are sensitive to PSA, selective to an extremely greater extent, and stable in terms of chemical composition. Furthermore, the Zn-MOFs-NPs did not exhibit any interferences from other common analytes that might cause interference. The detection limit for PSA was calculated and was 0.145 fg/mL throughout a wide linear concentration range (0.1 fg/mL-20 pg/mL).

CONCLUSIONS

Zn-MOFs-NPs were successfully used as a growing biosensor for the monitoring and measurement of PSA in biological real samples.

Current progress of nanomedicine for prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common new cancer case and the second most fatal malignancy in men. Surgery, endocrine therapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the main clinical treatment options for PCa. However, most prostate cancers can develop into castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and due to the invasiveness of prostate cancer cells, they become resistant to different treatments and activate tumor-promoting signaling pathways, thereby inducing chemoresistance, radioresistance, ADT resistance, and immune resistance. Nanotechnology, which can combine treatment with diagnostic imaging tools, is emerging as a promising treatment modality in prostate cancer therapy. Nanoparticles can not only promote their accumulation at the pathological site through passive targeting techniques for enhanced permeability and retention (EPR), but also provide additional advantages for active targeting using different ligands. This property results in a reduced drug dose to achieve the desired effect, a longer duration of action within the tumor and fewer side effects on healthy tissues. In addition, nanotechnology can create good synergy with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, thermotherapy, photodynamic therapy and gene therapy to enhance their therapeutic effects with greater scope, and reduce the resistance of prostate cancer. In this article, we intend to review and discuss the latest technologies regarding the use of nanomaterials as therapeutic and diagnostic tools for prostate cancer.

Silica nanoparticles: Biomedical applications and toxicity

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are composed of silicon dioxide, the most abundant compound on Earth, and are used widely in many applications including the food industry, synthetic processes, medical diagnosis, and drug delivery due to their controllable particle size, large surface area, and great biocompatibility. Building on basic synthetic methods, convenient and economical strategies have been developed for the synthesis of SiNPs. Numerous studies have assessed the biomedical applications of SiNPs, including the surface and structural modification of SiNPs to target various cancers and diagnose diseases. However, studies on the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of SiNPs remain in the exploratory stage, and the toxicity mechanisms of SiNPs are poorly understood. This review covers recent studies on the biomedical applications of SiNPs, including their uses in drug delivery systems to diagnose and treat various diseases in the human body. SiNP toxicity is discussed in terms of the different systems of the human body and the individual organs in those systems. This comprehensive review includes both fundamental discoveries and exploratory progress in SiNP research that may lead to practical developments in the future.

A Dual-Mode Imaging Nanoparticle Probe Targeting PD-L1 for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Chemotherapy has remained the mainstay of treatment of triple-negative breast cancer; however, it is significantly limited by the associated side effects. PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibition therapy (ICI) has been a breakthrough for this patient population in recent years. PD-L1 expression is crucial in immunotherapy since it is a major predictor of PD-1/PD-L1 antibody response, emphasizing the significance of monitoring PD-L1 expression. Nonetheless, it is hard to assess the expression of PD-L1 before surgery, which has highlighted the urgency for a precise and noninvasive approach. Herein, we prepared a dual-mode imaging nanoparticle probe to detect PD-L1. The particle size, zeta potential, biocompatibility, and imaging ability of NPs were characterized. The synthesized NPs showed slight cytotoxicity and good T2 relaxivity. The targeted NPs accumulated more in 4T1 cells than nontargeted NPs in vitro. The in vivo experiment further demonstrated the distribution of targeted NPs in tumor tissues, with changes in NIRF and MR signals observed. Our study indicated that SPIO-aPD-L1-Cy5.5 NPs can be used to monitor PD-L1 expression in breast cancer as NIRF/MR contrast agents.

Remodelling of the tumour microenvironment by the kallikrein-related peptidases

Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are critical regulators of the tumour microenvironment. KLKs are proteolytic enzymes regulating multiple functions of bioactive molecules including hormones and growth factors, membrane receptors and the extracellular matrix architecture involved in cancer progression and metastasis. Perturbations of the proteolytic cascade generated by these peptidases, and their downstream signalling actions, underlie tumour emergence or blockade of tumour growth. Recent studies have also revealed their role in tumour immune suppression and resistance to cancer therapy. Here, we present an overview of the complex biology of the KLK family and its context-dependent nature in cancer, and discuss the different therapeutic strategies available to potentially target these proteases.

Nanoarchitectured prototypes of mesoporous silica nanoparticles for innovative biomedical applications

Despite exceptional morphological and physicochemical attributes, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are often employed as carriers or vectors. Moreover, these conventional MSNs often suffer from various limitations in biomedicine, such as reduced drug encapsulation efficacy, deprived compatibility, and poor degradability, resulting in poor therapeutic outcomes. To address these limitations, several modifications have been corroborated to fabricating hierarchically-engineered MSNs in terms of tuning the pore sizes, modifying the surfaces, and engineering of siliceous networks. Interestingly, the further advancements of engineered MSNs lead to the generation of highly complex and nature-mimicking structures, such as Janus-type, multi-podal, and flower-like architectures, as well as streamlined tadpole-like nanomotors. In this review, we present explicit discussions relevant to these advanced hierarchical architectures in different fields of biomedicine, including drug delivery, bioimaging, tissue engineering, and miscellaneous applications, such as photoluminescence, artificial enzymes, peptide enrichment, DNA detection, and biosensing, among others. Initially, we give a brief overview of diverse, innovative stimuli-responsive (pH, light, ultrasound, and thermos)- and targeted drug delivery strategies, along with discussions on recent advancements in cancer immune therapy and applicability of advanced MSNs in other ailments related to cardiac, vascular, and nervous systems, as well as diabetes. Then, we provide initiatives taken so far in clinical translation of various silica-based materials and their scope towards clinical translation. Finally, we summarize the review with interesting perspectives on lessons learned in exploring the biomedical applications of advanced MSNs and further requirements to be explored.

Nanotechnology-based approaches for effective detection of tumor markers: A comprehensive state-of-the-art review

As well-appreciated biomarkers, tumor markers have been spotlighted as reliable tools for predicting the behavior of different tumors and helping clinicians ascertain the type of molecular mechanism of tumorigenesis. The sensitivity and specificity of these markers have made them an object of even broader interest for sensitive detection and staging of various cancers. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fluorescence-based, mass-based, and electrochemical-based detections are current techniques for sensing tumor markers. Although some of these techniques provide good selectivity, certain obstacles, including a low sample concentration or difficulty carrying out the measurement, limit their application. With the advent of nanotechnology, many studies have been carried out to synthesize and employ nanomaterials (NMs) in sensing techniques to determine these tumor markers at low concentrations. The fabrication, sensitivity, design, and multiplexing of sensing techniques have been uplifted due to the attractive features of NMs. Various NMs, such as magnetic and metal nanoparticles, up-conversion NPs, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon-based NMs, quantum dots (QDs), and graphene-based nanosensors, hyperbranched polymers, optical nanosensors, piezoelectric biosensors, paper-based biosensors, microfluidic-based lab-on-chip sensors, and hybrid NMs have proven effective in detecting tumor markers with great sensitivity and selectivity. This review summarizes various categories of NMs for detecting these valuable markers, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3, MUC1), and cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and highlights recent nanotechnology-based advancements in detection of these prognostic biomarkers.

Biocompatible Nanomaterials as an Emerging Technology in Reproductive Health; a Focus on the Male

A growing body of research has confirmed that nanoparticle (NP) systems can enhance delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents as well as prevent potentially damaging systemic exposure to these agents by modifying the kinetics of their release. With a wide choice of NP materials possessing different properties and surface modification options with unique targeting agents, bespoke nanosystems have been developed for applications varying from cancer therapeutics and genetic modification to cell imaging. Although there remain many challenges for the clinical application of nanoparticles, including toxicity within the reproductive system, some of these may be overcome with the recent development of biodegradable nanoparticles that offer increased biocompatibility. In recognition of this potential, this review seeks to present recent NP research with a focus on the exciting possibilities posed by the application of biocompatible nanomaterials within the fields of male reproductive medicine, health, and research.

Combining Nanotechnology and Gas Plasma as an Emerging Platform for Cancer Therapy: Mechanism and Therapeutic Implication

Nanomedicine and plasma medicine are innovative and multidisciplinary research fields aiming to employ nanotechnology and gas plasma to improve health-related treatments. Especially cancer treatment has been in the focus of both approaches because clinical response rates with traditional methods that remain improvable for many types of tumor entities. Here, we discuss the recent progress of nanotechnology and gas plasma independently as well as in the concomitant modality of nanoplasma as multimodal platforms with unique capabilities for addressing various therapeutic issues in oncological research. The main features, delivery vehicles, and nexus between reactivity and therapeutic outcomes of nanoparticles and the processes, efficacy, and mechanisms of gas plasma are examined. Especially that the unique feature of gas plasma technology, the local and temporally controlled deposition of a plethora of reactive oxygen, and nitrogen species released simultaneously might be a suitable additive treatment to the use of systemic nanotechnology therapy approaches. Finally, we focus on the convergence of plasma and nanotechnology to provide a suitable strategy that may lead to the required therapeutic outcomes.

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Potential Immunotherapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, which lacks effective inhibition of progression and metastasis in the advanced clinical stage. Mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)–based cytotoxic or immunoregulatory drug–loading strategies have attracted widespread attention in the recent years. As a representative of mesoporous biomaterials, MSNs have good biological characteristics and immune activation potential and can cooperate with adjuvants against HCC. This review summarizes the possible future development of the field from the perspective of tumor immunity and aims to stimulate the exploration of the immune mechanism of MSN-based therapy. Through this point of view, we hope to develop new clinical immune drugs that can be applied to HCC clinical management in the future.

Dual anticancer drug-loaded self-assembled nanomaterials delivery system for the treatment of prostate cancer

This study explains the engineering of polylactide-polyethylene succinate glycol nanomaterials (NMs), to achieve superior anticancer effectiveness in prostate cancer therapy as a carriers of crizotinib (CZT) and marizomib (MAR). We have shown that the block polymers and hydrophobic drugs can be self-assembled to construct a highly stable nanocarrier with highly adaptable to support the use of cancer medicines. The Drug Release analysis revealed that the interference in the hydrophobic cores of micelles was a continuous release series. In both PC3pip and LNCAP prostate cancer cells, CZT@MAR NMs demonstrated noticeable cytotoxic effects in a dose-responsive method. In addition, morphology analysis and the AO-EB and nuclear staining assay showed a higher effectiveness in prostate cancer for nanomaterials. The polymeric nanomaterials displayed a prominent existence in the cytoplasmic cell regions, which shows a characteristic cell uptake by endocytosis. A significant apoptosis, compared to free CZT@MAR apoptosis, was found in the FITC-Annexin V/PI staining-based apoptosis analysis. In this juncture, the alternative drug delivery mechanism for the improvement of CZT@MAR chemotherapeutic effectiveness in prostate cancer chemotherapy modification PLA nanoparticles.

Imaging cancer cells with nanostructures: Prospects of nanotechnology driven non-invasive cancer diagnosis

The application of nanostructured materials in medicine is a rapidly evolving area of research that includes both the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Metals, metal oxides and carbon-based nanomaterials have shown much promise in medical technological advancements due to their tunable physical, chemical and biological properties. The nanoscale properties, especially the size, shape, surface chemistry and stability makes them highly desirable for diagnosing and treating various diseases, including cancers. Major applications of nanomaterials in cancer diagnosis include in vivo bioimaging and molecular marker detection, mainly as image contrast agents using modalities such as radio, magnetic resonance, and ultrasound imaging. When a suitable targeting ligand is attached on the nanomaterial surface, it can help pinpoint the disease site during imaging. The application of nanostructured materials in cancer diagnosis can help in the early detection, treatment and patient follow-up . This review aims to gather and present the information regarding the application of nanotechnology in cancer diagnosis. We also discuss the challenges and prospects regarding the application of nanomaterials as cancer diagnostic tools.

Diagnosis of cancer at early stages based on the multiplex detection of tumor markers using metal nanoclusters

Traditional cancer diagnosis strategies are not considered by most people until the last resort, which delays many cancer treatments leading to advanced stages. Tumor marker sensors show great potential for detecting cancer because of its cost-effective and harmless checking procedures. Normally, one tumor marker is detected each time by using one type of sensor, but the accuracy to declare cancer is not always satisfied. Metal nanoclusters are ultra-small nanomaterials with low toxicity, distinct optical properties, catalytic activities, and cost-effective performance. Some metal nanoclusters have been designed to detect more than one tumor marker in a single step. The consideration of combined parameters using such facile sensing strategies has the potential to simplify the test procedure, and increase the diagnostic accuracy of early cancer. Therefore, various sensing strategies for the multiplex detection of tumor markers using metal nanoclusters are summarized.

Applications of Nanoparticle-Antibody Conjugates in Immunoassays and Tumor Imaging

Modern diagnostic technologies rely on both in vitro and in vivo modalities to provide a complete understanding of the clinical state of a patient. Nanoparticle-antibody conjugates have emerged as promising systems to confer increased sensitivity and accuracy for in vitro diagnostics (e.g., immunoassays). Meanwhile, in vivo applications have benefited from the targeting ability of nanoparticle-antibody conjugates, as well as payload flexibility and tailored biodistribution. This review provides an encompassing overview of nanoparticle-antibody conjugates, from chemistry to applications in medical immunoassays and tumor imaging, highlighting the underlying principles and unique features of relevant preclinical applications employing commonly used imaging modalities (e.g., optical/photoacoustics, positron-emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray computed tomography).

Progress in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Agents for Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment and therapy have made significant leaps and bounds in these past decades. However, there are still cases where surgical removal is impossible, metastases are challenging, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy pose severe side effects. Therefore, a need to find more effective and specific treatments still exists. One way is through the utilization of drug delivery agents (DDA) based on nanomaterials. In 2001, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were first used as DDA and have gained considerable attention in this field. The popularity of MSNs is due to their unique properties such as tunable particle and pore size, high surface area and pore volume, easy functionalization and surface modification, high stability and their capability to efficiently entrap cargo molecules. This review describes the latest advancement of MSNs as DDA for cancer treatment. We focus on the fabrication of MSNs, the challenges in DDA development and how MSNs address the problems through the development of smart DDA using MSNs. Besides that, MSNs have also been applied as a multifunctional DDA where they can serve in both the diagnostic and treatment of cancer. Overall, we argue MSNs provide a bright future for both the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Rapid Antibody-Based COVID-19 Mass Surveillance: Relevance, Challenges, and Prospects in a Pandemic and Post-Pandemic World

The aggressive outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) as COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019) pandemic demands rapid and simplified testing tools for its effective management. Increased mass testing and surveillance are crucial for controlling the disease spread, obtaining better pandemic statistics, and developing realistic epidemiological models. Despite the advantages of nucleic acid- and antigen-based tests such as accuracy, specificity, and non-invasive approaches of sample collection, they can only detect active infections. Antibodies (immunoglobulins) are produced by the host immune system within a few days after infection and persist in the blood for at least several weeks after infection resolution. Antibody-based tests have provided a substitute and effective method of ultra-rapid detection for multiple contagious disease outbreaks in the past, including viral diseases such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). Thus, although not highly suitable for early diagnosis, antibody-based methods can be utilized to detect past infections hidden in the population, including asymptomatic ones. In an active community spread scenario of a disease that can provide a bigger window for mass detections and a practical approach for continuous surveillance. These factors encouraged researchers to investigate means of improving antibody-based rapid tests and employ them as reliable, reproducible, sensitive, specific, and economic tools for COVID-19 mass testing and surveillance. The development and integration of such immunoglobulin-based tests can transform the pandemic diagnosis by moving the same out of the clinics and laboratories into community testing sites and homes. This review discusses the principle, technology, and strategies being used in antibody-based testing at present. It also underlines the immense prospect of immunoglobulin-based testing and the efficacy of repeated planned deployment in pandemic management and post-pandemic sustainable screenings globally.

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Bioimaging

A biomedical contrast agent serves to enhance the visualisation of a specific (potentially targeted) physiological region. In recent years, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have developed as a flexible imaging platform of tuneable size/morphology, abundant surface chemistry, biocompatibility and otherwise useful physiochemical properties. This review discusses MSN structural types and synthetic strategies, as well as methods for surface functionalisation. Recent applications in biomedical imaging are then discussed, with a specific emphasis on magnetic resonance and optical modes together with utility in multimodal imaging.

Functionalized nano-targeted moieties in management of prostate cancer

Multimodal properties of nanoparticles, such as simultaneously carrying drugs and/or diagnostic probes for site-specific delivery, make them excellent carriers for diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Advantages are high permeability and selectivity to malignant cells to reduce systemic toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs. Based on a review of current literature, the lack of efficient and highly specific prostate cancer cell targeting moieties is hindering successful in vivo prostate cancer-targeted drug delivery systems. Highly specific nano-targeting moieties as drug delivery vehicles might improve chemotherapeutic delivery via targeting to specific receptors expressed on the surface of prostate cancer cells. This review describes nano-targeting moieties for management of prostate cancer and its cancer stem cells. Descriptions of targeting moieties using anti-prostate-specific membrane antigen, aptamer, anti-cluster of differentiation 24/44, folic acid and other targeting strategies are highlighted. Current research results are promising and may yield development of next-generation nanoscale theragnostic targeted modalities for prostate cancer treatment.

A novel nano copper complex: potentiometry, DFT and application as a cancer prostatic biomarker for the ultrasensitive detection of human PSA

A novel analytical approach for cancer prostatic biomarker by PSA detection using nano-Cu(II)-complex.