Optimization of power used in liver cancer microwave therapy by injection of Magnetic Nanoparticles (MNPs)

Nano-based drug delivery systems in hepatocellular carcinoma

The high recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and poor prognosis after medical treatment reflects the necessity to improve the current chemotherapy protocols, particularly drug delivery methods. Development of targeted and efficient drug delivery systems (DDSs), in all active, passive and stimuli-responsive forms for selective delivery of therapeutic drugs to the tumour site has been extended to improve efficacy and reduce the severe side effects. Recent advances in nanotechnology offer promising breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of cancer cells. In this review, the specific design of DDSs based on the different nano-particles and their surface engineering is discussed. In addition, the innovative clinical studies in which nano-based DDS was used in the treatment of HCC were highlighted.

Recent advances in hepatocellular carcinoma-targeted nanoparticles

In the field of medicine, we often brave the unknown like interstellar explorers, especially when confronting the formidable opponent of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The global burden of HCC remains significant, with suboptimal treatment outcomes necessitating the urgent development of novel drugs and treatments. While various treatments for liver cancer, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy, have emerged in recent years, improving their transport and therapeutic efficiency, controlling their targeting and release, and mitigating their adverse effects remains challenging. However, just as we grope through the darkness, a glimmer of light emerges-nanotechnology. Recently, nanotechnology has attracted attention because it can increase the local drug concentration in tumors, reduce systemic toxicity, and has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of precision therapy for HCC. However, there are also some challenges hindering the clinical translation of drug-loaded nanoparticles (NPs). Just as interstellar explorers must overcome interstellar dust, we too must overcome various obstacles. In future researches, the design and development of nanodelivery systems for novel drugs treating HCC should be the first attention. Moreover, researchers should focus on the active targeting design of various NPs. The combination of the interventional therapies and drug-loaded NPs will greatly advance the process of precision HCC therapy.

A review on radiofrequency, laser, and microwave ablations and their thermal monitoring through fiber Bragg gratings

Thermal ablation of tumors aims to apply extreme temperatures inside the target tissue to achieve substantial tumor destruction in a minimally invasive manner. Several techniques are comprised, classified according to the type of energy source. However, the lack of treatment selectivity still needs to be addressed, potentially causing two risks: i) incomplete tumor destruction and recurrence, or conversely, ii) damage of the surrounding healthy tissue. Therefore, the research herein reviewed seeks to develop sensing systems based on fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) for thermal monitoring inside the lesion during radiofrequency, laser, and microwave ablation. This review shows that, mainly thanks to multiplexing and minimal invasiveness, FBGs provide an optimal sensing solution. Their temperature measurements are the feedback to control the ablation process and allow to investigate different treatments, compare their outcomes, and quantify the impact of factors such as proximity to thermal probe and blood vessels, perfusion, and tissue type.

Recent Trends and Developments in Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Cancer Theranostics

Conventional anticancer treatments, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, have significantly improved cancer therapy. Nevertheless, the existing traditional anticancer treatments have been reported to cause serious side effects and resistance to cancer and even to severely affect the quality of life of cancer survivors, which indicates the utmost urgency to develop effective and safe anticancer treatments. As the primary focus of cancer nanotheranostics, nanomaterials with unique surface chemistry and shape have been investigated for integrating cancer diagnostics with treatment techniques, including guiding a prompt diagnosis, precise imaging, treatment with an effective dose, and real-time supervision of therapeutic efficacy. Several theranostic nanosystems have been explored for cancer diagnosis and treatment in the past decade. However, metal-based nanotheranostics continue to be the most common types of nonentities. Consequently, the present review covers the physical characteristics of effective metallic, functionalized, and hybrid nanotheranostic systems. The scope of coverage also includes the clinical advantages and limitations of cancer nanotheranostics. In light of these viewpoints, future research directions exploring the robustness and clinical viability of cancer nanotheranostics through various strategies to enhance the biocompatibility of theranostic nanoparticles are summarised.

Liver cancer treatment with integration of laser emission and microwave irradiation with the aid of gold nanoparticles

This paper studies the effectiveness of the integration of microwave field irradiation and laser emission in liver cancer therapy with the aid of gold nanorods, in order to find out the influences of these combinational methods in tumor necrosis. Hepatocellular carcinoma is a kind of liver cancer that usually has a complicated structure, including both of superficial and deep sections. In current research, in deep regions of cancerous tissue, microwave antenna is utilized and in superficial regions, laser beams are irradiated. A Pulsed laser with heating time of 50 s and cooling time of 20 s is utilized for hyperthermia treatment. It should be mentioned that gold nanorods are injected into the tumorous region to enhance the treatment process and reduce the patient’s exposure time. Simulation results showed that at the first step, without any injection of gold nanoparticles, 0.17% of the tumor’s volume encountered necrosis, while at the next stage, after injection of gold nanorods, the necrosis rate increased to 35%, which demonstrates the efficiency of gold nanorods injection on the tumor treatments. Furthermore, the combinational applying of both microwave antenna and laser illumination can eradiate the tumor tissue completely.

The significance of nanoparticles in brain cancer diagnosis and treatment: modeling and simulation

A numerical analysis of specific absorption rate (SAR) and temperature distributions in a realistic human head model is presented in this study. The key challenge is to rise cancer temperature to an optimal temperature without heating nearby healthy tissues. The model's uniqueness is that it captures the effect of nanoparticles on both brain cancer diagnosis and treatment. A realistic human head model with a cancerous brain segmented from 2D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gained from an actual patient using 3D Slicer, modeled, and simulated using CST-Microwave Studio, and illuminated by Archimedes spiral antenna. At frequencies of 2450 MHz and 915 MHz, the model simulated the absence and presence of various nanoparticles. The obtained results suggest that when using nanoparticles, it is possible to achieve sufficient energy deposition and temperature rise to therapeutic values (greater than 42 °C) in brain cancers using the proposed noninvasive hyperthermia system at 915 MHz frequency, especially for gold nanoparticles, without harming surrounding healthy tissue. Our research might pave the way for a clinical applicator prototype that can heat brain cancer.

Nanomaterials responding to microwaves: an emerging field for imaging and therapy

In recent years, new microwave-based imaging, sensing and hyperthermia applications have emerged in the field of diagnostics and therapy. For diagnosis, this technology involves the application of low power microwaves, utilising contrast between the relative permittivity of tissues to identify pathologies. This contrast can be further enhanced through the implementation of nanomaterials. For therapy, this technology can be applied in tissues either through hyperthermia, which can help anti-cancer drug tumour penetration or as ablation to destroy malignant tissues. Nanomaterials can absorb electromagnetic radiation and can enhance the microwave hyperthermic effect. In this review we aim to introduce this area of renewed interest and provide insights into current developments in its technologies and companion nanoparticles, as well as presenting an overview of applications for diagnosis and therapy.

Magnetic nanoparticles for cancer theranostics: Advances and prospects

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Nanoparticles have been broadly studied and emerged as a novel approach in diagnosis and treatment of tumors. Over the last decade, researches have significantly improved magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)'s theranostic potential as nanomedicine for cancer. Newer MNPs have various advantages such as wider operating temperatures, smaller sizes, lower toxicity, simpler preparations and lower production costs. With a series of unique and superior physical and chemical properties, MNPs have great potential in medical applications. In particular, using MNPs as probes for medical imaging and carriers for targeted drug delivery systems. While MNPs are expected to be the future of cancer diagnosis and precision drug delivery, more research is still required to minimize their toxicity and improve their efficacy. An ideal MNP for clinical applications should be precisely engineered to be stable to act as tracers or deliver drugs to the targeted sites, release drug components only at the targeted sites and have minimal health risks. Our review aims to consolidate the recent improvements in MNPs for clinical applications as well as discuss the future research prospects and potential of MNPs in cancer theranostics.

A review of antenna designs for percutaneous microwave ablation

Microwave (MW) antenna is a key element in microwave ablation (MWA) treatments as the means that energy is delivered in a focused manner to the tumor and its surrounding area. The energy delivered results in a rise in temperature to a lethal level, resulting in cell death in the ablation zone. The delivery of energy and hence the success of MWA is closely dependent on the structure of the antennas. Therefore, three design criteria, such as expected ablation zone pattern, efficiency of energy delivery, and minimization of the diameter of the antennas have been the focus along the evolution of the MW antenna. To further improve the performance of MWA in the treatment of various tumors through inventing novel antennas, this article reviews the state-of-the-art and summarizes the development of MW antenna designs regarding the three design criteria.