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He T, Yang Y, Chen XB. Propulsion mechanisms of micro/nanorobots: a review. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:12696-12734. [PMID: 38940742 DOI: 10.1039/d4nr01776e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Micro/nanomotors (MNMs) are intelligent, efficient and promising micro/nanorobots (MNR) that can respond to external stimuli (e.g., chemical energy, temperature, light, pH, ultrasound, magnetic, biosignals, ions) and perform specific tasks. The MNR can adapt to different external stimuli and transform into various functional forms to match different application scenarios. So far, MNR have found extensive application in targeted therapy, drug delivery, tissue engineering, environmental remediation, and other fields. Despite the promise of MNR, there are few reviews that focus on them. To shed new light on the further development of the field, it is necessary to provide an overview of the current state of development of these MNR. Therefore, this paper reviews the research progress of MNR in terms of propulsion mechanisms, and points out the pros and cons of different stimulus types. Finally, this paper highlights the current challenges faced by MNR and proposes possible solutions to facilitate the practical application of MNR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao He
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan 114051, China.
| | - Yonghui Yang
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan 114051, China.
| | - Xue-Bo Chen
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan 114051, China.
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2
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Karthika V, Jo SH, Yadav S, Reddy OS, Lim HG, Lee WK, Park SH, Lim KT. Self-Signal-Triggered Drug Delivery System for Tumor Therapy Using Cancer Cell Membrane-Coated Biocompatible Mn 3O 4 Nanocomposites. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024; 8:e2300375. [PMID: 38548666 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
In anti-cancer metastasis treatment, precise drug delivery to cancer cells remains a challenge. Innovative nanocomposites are developed to tackle these issues effectively. The approach involves the creation of manganese oxide (Mn3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) and their functionalization using trisodium citrate to yield functionalized Mn3O4 NPs (F-Mn3O4 NPs), with enhanced water solubility, stability, and biocompatibility. Subsequently, the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) is encapsulated with Mn3O4 NPs, resulting in DOX/Mn3O4 NPs. To achieve cell-specific targeting, These NPs are coated with HeLa cell membranes (HCM), forming HCM/DOX/Mn3O4. For further refinement, a transferrin (Tf) receptor is integrated with cracked HCM to create Tf-HCM/DOX/Mn3O4 nanocomposites (NC) with specific cell membrane targeting capabilities. The resulting Tf-HCM/DOX/Mn3O4 NC exhibits excellent drug encapsulation efficiency (97.5%) and displays triggered drug release when exposed to NIR laser irradiation in the tumor's environment (pH 5.0 and 6.5). Furthermore, these nanocomposites show resistance to macrophage uptake and demonstrate homotypic cancer cell targeting specificity, even in the presence of other tumor cells. In vitro toxicity tests show that Tf-HCM/DOX/Mn3O4 NC achieves significant anticancer activity against HeLa and BT20 cancer cells, with percentages of 76.46% and 71.36%, respectively. These results indicate the potential of Tf-HCM/DOX/Mn3O4 NC as an effective nanoplatform for chemo-photothermal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viswanathan Karthika
- Department of Display Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Sung-Han Jo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Sonyabapu Yadav
- Department of Smart Green Technology Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | | | - Hae Gyun Lim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Won-Ki Lee
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Sang-Hyug Park
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
| | - Kwon Taek Lim
- Department of Display Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
- Department of Smart Green Technology Engineering, Pukyong National University, Busan, 48513, South Korea
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Lin J, Cong Q, Zhang D. Magnetic Microrobots for In Vivo Cargo Delivery: A Review. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:664. [PMID: 38793237 PMCID: PMC11123378 DOI: 10.3390/mi15050664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Magnetic microrobots, with their small size and agile maneuverability, are well-suited for navigating the intricate and confined spaces within the human body. In vivo cargo delivery within the context of microrobotics involves the use of microrobots to transport and administer drugs and cells directly to the targeted regions within a living organism. The principal aim is to enhance the precision, efficiency, and safety of therapeutic interventions. Despite their potential, there is a shortage of comprehensive reviews on the use of magnetic microrobots for in vivo cargo delivery from both research and engineering perspectives, particularly those published after 2019. This review addresses this gap by disentangling recent advancements in magnetic microrobots for in vivo cargo delivery. It summarizes their actuation platforms, structural designs, cargo loading and release methods, tracking methods, navigation algorithms, and degradation and retrieval methods. Finally, it highlights potential research directions. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the current landscape of magnetic microrobot technologies for in vivo cargo delivery. It highlights their present implementation methods, capabilities, and prospective research directions. The review also examines significant innovations and inherent challenges in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dandan Zhang
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (J.L.); (Q.C.)
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Dehghankhold M, Ahmadi F, Nezafat N, Abedi M, Iranpour P, Dehghanian A, Koohi-Hosseinabadi O, Akbarizadeh AR, Sobhani Z. A versatile theranostic magnetic polydopamine iron oxide NIR laser-responsive nanosystem containing doxorubicin for chemo-photothermal therapy of melanoma. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2024; 159:213797. [PMID: 38368693 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2024.213797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Theranostics nanoparticles (NPs) have recently received much attention in cancer imaging and treatment. This study aimed to develop a multifunctional nanosystem for the targeted delivery of photothermal and chemotherapy agents. Fe3O4 NPs were modified with polydopamine, bovine serum albumin, and loaded with DOX via a thermal-cleavable Azo linker (Fe3O4@PDA@BSA-DOX). The size of Fe3O4@PDA@BSA NPs was approximately 98 nm under the desired conditions. Because of the ability of Fe3O4 and PDA to convert light into heat, the temperature of Fe3O4@PDA@BSA NPs increased to approximately 47 °C within 10 min when exposed to an 808 nm NIR laser with a power density of 1.5 W/cm2. The heat generated by the NIR laser leads to the breaking of AZO linker and drug release. In vivo and in vitro results demonstrated that prepared NPs under laser irradiation successfully eradicated tumor cells without any significant toxicity effect. Moreover, the Fe3O4@PDA@BSA NPs exhibited the potential to function as a contrasting agent. These NPs could accumulate in tumors with the help of an external magnet, resulting in a significant enhancement in the quality of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The prepared novel multifunctional NPs seem to be an efficient system for imaging and combination therapy in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahvash Dehghankhold
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Student Research committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ahmadi
- Research Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Navid Nezafat
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Abedi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Pooya Iranpour
- Medical Imaging Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amirreza Dehghanian
- Molecular Pathology and Cytogenetics Division, Department of Pathology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Amin Reza Akbarizadeh
- Drug and Food Control Department, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Sobhani
- Research Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Drug and Food Control Department, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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5
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He T, Yang Y, Chen XB. Preparation, Stimulus-Response Mechanisms and Applications of Micro/Nanorobots. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:2253. [PMID: 38138422 PMCID: PMC10745970 DOI: 10.3390/mi14122253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Micro- and nanorobots are highly intelligent and efficient. They can perform various complex tasks as per the external stimuli. These robots can adapt to the required functional form, depending on the different stimuli, thus being able to meet the requirements of various application scenarios. So far, microrobots have been widely used in the fields of targeted therapy, drug delivery, tissue engineering, environmental remediation and so on. Although microbots are promising in some fields, few reviews have yet focused on them. It is therefore necessary to outline the current status of these microbots' development to provide some new insights into the further evolution of this field. This paper critically assesses the research progress of microbots with respect to their preparation methods, stimulus-response mechanisms and applications. It highlights the suitability of different preparation methods and stimulus types, while outlining the challenges experienced by microbots. Viable solutions are also proposed for the promotion of their practical use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xue-Bo Chen
- School of Electronic and Information Engineering, University of Science and Technology Liaoning, Anshan 114051, China; (T.H.); (Y.Y.)
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Wang X, Bai R. Advances in smart delivery of magnetic field-targeted drugs in cardiovascular diseases. Drug Deliv 2023; 30:2256495. [PMID: 37702067 PMCID: PMC10501169 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2023.2256495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic Drug Targeting (MDT) is of particular interest to researchers because of its good loading efficiency, targeting accuracy, and versatile use in vivo. Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is a global chronic disease with a high mortality rate, and the development of more precise and effective treatments is imminent. A growing number of studies have begun to explore the feasibility of MDT in CVD, but an up-to-date systematic summary is still lacking. This review discusses the current research status of MDT from guiding magnetic fields, magnetic nanocarriers, delivery channels, drug release control, and safety assessment. The current application status of MDT in CVD is also critically introduced. On this basis, new insights into the existing problems and future optimization directions of MDT are further highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Wang
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ruru Bai
- Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
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Mallick S, Abouomar R, Rivas D, Sokolich M, Kirmizitas FC, Dutta A, Das S. Doxorubicin-Loaded Microrobots for Targeted Drug Delivery and Anticancer Therapy. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2300939. [PMID: 37378647 PMCID: PMC10753031 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202300939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Micro-sized magnetic particles (also known as microrobots [MRs]) have recently been shown to have potential applications for numerous biomedical applications like drug delivery, microengineering, and single cell manipulation. Interdisciplinary studies have demonstrated the ability of these tiny particles to actuate under the action of a controlled magnetic field that not only drive MRs in a desired trajectory but also precisely deliver therapeutic payload to the target site. Additionally, optimal concentrations of therapeutic molecules can also be delivered to the desired site which is cost-effective and safe especially in scenarios where drug dose-related side effects are a concern. In this study, MRs are used to deliver anticancer drugs (doxorubicin) to cancer cells and subsequent cell death is evaluated in different cell lines (liver, prostate, and ovarian cancer cells). Cytocompatibility studies show that MRs are well-tolerated and internalized by cancer cells. Doxorubicin (DOX) is chemically conjugated with MRs (DOX-MRs) and magnetically steered toward cancer cells using the magnetic controller. Time-lapsed video shows that cells shrink and eventually die when MRs are internalized by cells. Taken together, this study confirms that microrobots are promising couriers for targeted delivery of therapeutic biomolecules for cancer therapy and other non-invasive procedures that require precise control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Mallick
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware
| | | | - David Rivas
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware
| | - Max Sokolich
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware
| | - Fatma Ceren Kirmizitas
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware
| | - Aditya Dutta
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware
| | - Sambeeta Das
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware
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Zhang F, Yang Q, Tang S, Jiang S, Zhao Q, Li J, Xu C, Liu J, Fu Y. CD38-targeted and erythrocyte membrane camouflaged nanodrug delivery system for photothermal and chemotherapy in multiple myeloma. Int J Pharm 2023; 643:123241. [PMID: 37479101 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant and incurable disease. Chemotherapy is currently the primary treatment option for MM. However, chemotherapeutic drugs can interrupt treatment because of serious side effects. Therefore, development of novel therapeutics for MM is essential. In this study, we designed and constructed an innovative nanoparticle-based drug delivery system, P-R@Ni3P-BTZ, and investigated its feasibility, effectiveness, and safety both in vitro and in vivo. P-R@Ni3P-BTZ is a nanocomposite that consists of two parts: (1) the drug carrier (Ni3P), which integrates photothermal therapy (PTT) with chemotherapy by loading bortezomib (BTZ); and (2) the shell (P-R), a CD38 targeting peptide P-modified red blood cell membrane nanovesicles. In vitro and in vivo, it was proven that P-R@Ni3P-BTZ exhibits remarkable antitumor effects by actively targeting CD38 + MM cells. P-R@Ni3P-BTZ significantly induces the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increases the apoptosis of MM cells, which underlies the primary mechanism of its antitumor effects. In addition, P-R@Ni3P exhibits good biocompatibility and biosafety, both in vitro and in vivo. Overall, P-R@Ni3P-BTZ is a specific and efficient MM therapeutic method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangrong Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Yang
- Department of Hematology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Sishi Tang
- Department of Hematology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyi Jiang
- Department of Hematology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiangqiang Zhao
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Hematology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yunfeng Fu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Zhou Y, Ye M, Hu C, Qian H, Nelson BJ, Wang X. Stimuli-Responsive Functional Micro-/Nanorobots: A Review. ACS NANO 2023; 17:15254-15276. [PMID: 37534824 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive functional micro-/nanorobots (srFM/Ns) are a class of intelligent, efficient, and promising microrobots that can react to external stimuli (such as temperature, light, ultrasound, pH, ion, and magnetic field) and perform designated tasks. Through adaptive transformation into the corresponding functional forms, they can perfectly match the demands depending on different applications, which manifest extremely important roles in targeted therapy, biological detection, tissue engineering, and other fields. Promising as srFM/Ns can be, few reviews have focused on them. It is therefore necessary to provide an overview of the current development of these intelligent srFM/Ns to provide clear inspiration for further development of this field. Hence, this review summarizes the current advances of stimuli-responsive functional microrobots regarding their response mechanism, the achieved functions, and their applications to highlight the pros and cons of different stimuli. Finally, we emphasize the existing challenges of srFM/Ns and propose possible strategies to help accelerate the study of this field and promote srFM/Ns toward actual applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhou
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society (AIRS), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518129, China
| | - Min Ye
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society (AIRS), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518129, China
| | - Chengzhi Hu
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huihuan Qian
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society (AIRS), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518129, China
- Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Bradley J Nelson
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society (AIRS), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518129, China
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, Tannenstrasse 3, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Xiaopu Wang
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society (AIRS), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518129, China
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Kong X, Gao P, Wang J, Fang Y, Hwang KC. Advances of medical nanorobots for future cancer treatments. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:74. [PMID: 37452423 PMCID: PMC10347767 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01463-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Early detection and diagnosis of many cancers is very challenging. Late stage detection of a cancer always leads to high mortality rates. It is imperative to develop novel and more sensitive and effective diagnosis and therapeutic methods for cancer treatments. The development of new cancer treatments has become a crucial aspect of medical advancements. Nanobots, as one of the most promising applications of nanomedicines, are at the forefront of multidisciplinary research. With the progress of nanotechnology, nanobots enable the assembly and deployment of functional molecular/nanosized machines and are increasingly being utilized in cancer diagnosis and therapeutic treatment. In recent years, various practical applications of nanobots for cancer treatments have transitioned from theory to practice, from in vitro experiments to in vivo applications. In this paper, we review and analyze the recent advancements of nanobots in cancer treatments, with a particular emphasis on their key fundamental features and their applications in drug delivery, tumor sensing and diagnosis, targeted therapy, minimally invasive surgery, and other comprehensive treatments. At the same time, we discuss the challenges and the potential research opportunities for nanobots in revolutionizing cancer treatments. In the future, medical nanobots are expected to become more sophisticated and capable of performing multiple medical functions and tasks, ultimately becoming true nanosubmarines in the bloodstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyi Kong
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital and Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen, 518116, China
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
- Division of Breast Surgery, Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Breast Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Yi Fang
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Kuo Chu Hwang
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30013, Taiwan ROC.
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11
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Tan L, Wang Z, Chen Z, Shi X, Cheang UK. Improving Swimming Performance of Photolithography-Based Microswimmers Using Curvature Structures. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:1965. [PMID: 36422394 PMCID: PMC9694957 DOI: 10.3390/mi13111965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of robotic microswimmers and their huge potential in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, non-invasive surgery, and bio-sensing facilitates studies to improve their effectiveness. Recently, achiral microswimmers that have neither flexible nor helical structures have garnered attention because of their simple structures and fabrication process while preserving adequate swimming velocity and controllability. In this paper, the crescent shape was utilized to create photolithography-fabricated crescent-shaped achiral microswimmers. The microswimmers were actuated using rotating magnetic fields at low Reynolds numbers. Compared with the previously reported achiral microswimmers, the crescent-shaped microswimmers showed significant improvement in forward swimming speed. The effects of different curvatures, arm angles, and procession angles on the velocities of microswimmers were investigated. Moreover, the optimal swimming motion was defined by adjusting the field strength of the magnetic field. Finally, the effect of the thickness of the microswimmers on their swimming velocity was investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Tan
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiangcheng Shi
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - U Kei Cheang
- Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Human-Augmentation and Rehabilitation Robotics in Universities, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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12
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Zhang D, Liu S, Guan J, Mou F. “Motile-targeting” drug delivery platforms based on micro/nanorobots for tumor therapy. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1002171. [PMID: 36185435 PMCID: PMC9523273 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1002171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional drug delivery systems opened the gate for tumor-targeted therapy, but they generally took advantage of enhanced permeability and retention or ligand-receptor mediated interaction, and thus suffered from limited recognition range (<0.5 nm) and low targeting efficiency (0.7%, median). Alternatively, micro/nanorobots (MNRs) may act as emerging “motile-targeting” drug delivery platforms to deliver therapeutic payloads, thereby making a giant step toward effective and safe cancer treatment due to their autonomous movement and navigation in biological media. This review focuses on the most recent developments of MNRs in “motile-targeting” drug delivery. After a brief introduction to traditional tumor-targeted drug delivery strategies and various MNRs, the representative applications of MNRs in “motile-targeting” drug delivery are systematically streamlined in terms of the propelling mechanisms. Following a discussion of the current challenges of each type of MNR in biomedical applications, as well as future prospects, several promising designs for MNRs that could benefit in “motile-targeting” drug delivery are proposed. This work is expected to attract and motivate researchers from different communities to advance the creation and practical application of the “motile-targeting” drug delivery platforms.
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Abstract
Micro-/nanorobots (MNRs) can be autonomously propelled on demand in complex biological environments and thus may bring revolutionary changes to biomedicines. Fluorescence has been widely used in real-time imaging, chemo-/biosensing, and photo-(chemo-) therapy. The integration of MNRs with fluorescence generates fluorescent MNRs with unique advantages of optical trackability, on-the-fly environmental sensitivity, and targeting chemo-/photon-induced cytotoxicity. This review provides an up-to-date overview of fluorescent MNRs. After the highlighted elucidation about MNRs of various propulsion mechanisms and the introductory information on fluorescence with emphasis on the fluorescent mechanisms and materials, we systematically illustrate the design and preparation strategies to integrate MNRs with fluorescent substances and their biomedical applications in imaging-guided drug delivery, intelligent on-the-fly sensing and photo-(chemo-) therapy. In the end, we summarize the main challenges and provide an outlook on the future directions of fluorescent MNRs. This work is expected to attract and inspire researchers from different communities to advance the creation and practical application of fluorescent MNRs on a broad horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
| | - Xia Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
| | - Fangzhi Mou
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
| | - Jianguo Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
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14
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Stop-Flow Lithography for the Continuous Production of Degradable Hydrogel Achiral Crescent Microswimmers. MICROMACHINES 2022; 13:mi13050798. [PMID: 35630266 PMCID: PMC9144168 DOI: 10.3390/mi13050798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The small size of robotic microswimmers makes them suitable for performing biomedical tasks in tiny, enclosed spaces. Considering the effects of potentially long-term retention of microswimmers in biological tissues and the environment, the degradability of microswimmers has become one of the pressing issues in this field. While degradable hydrogel was successfully used to prepare microswimmers in previous reports, most hydrogel microswimmers could only be fabricated using two-photon polymerization (TPP) due to their 3D structures, resulting in costly robotic microswimmers solution. This limits the potential of hydrogel microswimmers to be used in applications where a large number of microswimmers are needed. Here, we proposed a new type of preparation method for degradable hydrogel achiral crescent microswimmers using a custom-built stop-flow lithography (SFL) setup. The degradability of the hydrogel crescent microswimmers was quantitatively analyzed, and the degradation rate in sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH) of different concentrations was investigated. Cytotoxicity assays showed the hydrogel crescent microswimmers had good biocompatibility. The hydrogel crescent microswimmers were magnetically actuated using a 3D Helmholtz coil system and were able to obtain a swimming efficiency on par with previously reported microswimmers. The results herein demonstrated the potential for the degradable hydrogel achiral microswimmers to become a candidate for microscale applications.
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15
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Abedini-Nassab R, Ding X, Xie H. A novel magnetophoretic-based device for magnetometry and separation of single magnetic particles and magnetized cells. LAB ON A CHIP 2022; 22:738-746. [PMID: 35040849 DOI: 10.1039/d1lc01104a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The use of magnetic micro- and nanoparticles in medicine and biology is expanding. One important example is the transport of magnetic microparticles and magnetized cells in lab-on-a-chip systems. The magnetic susceptibility of the particles is a key factor in determining their response to the externally applied magnetic field. Typically, to measure this parameter, their magnetophoretic mobility is studied. However, the particle tracking system for accurately determining the traveled distance in a certain time may be too complicated. Here, we introduce a lithographically fabricated chip composed of an array of thin magnetic micro-disks for evaluating the magnetic susceptibility of numerous individual magnetic particles simultaneously. The proposed novel magnetometer works based on the phase change in the trajectory of microparticles circulating around the disks in a rotating in-plane magnetic field. We explain that the easily detectable transition between the "phase-locked" and the "phase-slipping" regimes and the frequency at which it happens are appropriate parameters for measuring the magnetic susceptibility of the magnetic particles at the single-particle level. We show that this high-throughput (i.e., ∼ten thousand particles on a 1 cm2 area) single-particle magnetometry method has various crucial applications, including i) magnetic characterization of magnetic beads as well as magnetically labeled living cells, ii) determining the magnetization rate of the cells taking up magnetic nanoparticles with respect to time, iii) evaluating the rate of degradation of magnetic nanoparticles in cells over time, iv) detecting the number of target cells in a sample, and v) separating particles based on their size and magnetic susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roozbeh Abedini-Nassab
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box: 14115-111, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Xianting Ding
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Personalized Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200030, China
| | - Haiyang Xie
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Personalized Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200030, China
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16
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Wang Z, Xu Z, Zhu B, Zhang Y, Lin J, Wu Y, Wu D. Design, fabrication and application of magnetically actuated micro/nanorobots: a review. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022; 33:152001. [PMID: 34915458 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ac43e6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Magnetically actuated micro/nanorobots are typical micro- and nanoscale artificial devices with favorable attributes of quick response, remote and contactless control, harmless human-machine interaction and high economic efficiency. Under external magnetic actuation strategies, they are capable of achieving elaborate manipulation and navigation in extreme biomedical environments. This review focuses on state-of-the-art progresses in design strategies, fabrication techniques and applications of magnetically actuated micro/nanorobots. Firstly, recent advances of various robot designs, including helical robots, surface walkers, ciliary robots, scaffold robots and biohybrid robots, are discussed separately. Secondly, the main progresses of common fabrication techniques are respectively introduced, and application achievements on these robots in targeted drug delivery, minimally invasive surgery and cell manipulation are also presented. Finally, a short summary is made, and the current challenges and future work for magnetically actuated micro/nanorobots are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongbao Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, 518057, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenjin Xu
- Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, 518057, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Zhu
- Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, 518057, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, 518057, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiawei Lin
- Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, 518057, People's Republic of China
| | - Yigen Wu
- Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, 518057, People's Republic of China
| | - Dezhi Wu
- Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, 518057, People's Republic of China
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