Recent advances in metal nanoparticles in cancer therapy

Breaking barriers: The potential of nanosystems in antituberculosis therapy

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, continues to pose a significant threat to global health. The resilience of TB is amplified by a myriad of physical, biological, and biopharmaceutical barriers that challenge conventional therapeutic approaches. This review navigates the intricate landscape of TB treatment, from the stealth of latent infections and the strength of granuloma formations to the daunting specters of drug resistance and altered gene expression. Amidst these challenges, traditional therapies often fail, contending with inconsistent bioavailability, prolonged treatment regimens, and socioeconomic burdens. Nanoscale Drug Delivery Systems (NDDSs) emerge as a promising beacon, ready to overcome these barriers, offering better drug targeting and improved patient adherence. Through a critical approach, we evaluate a spectrum of nanosystems and their efficacy against MTB both in vitro and in vivo. This review advocates for the intensification of research in NDDSs, heralding their potential to reshape the contours of global TB treatment strategies.

Metal-based nanoparticle in cancer treatment: lessons learned and challenges

Cancer, being one of the deadliest diseases, poses significant challenges despite the existence of traditional treatment approaches. This has led to a growing demand for innovative pharmaceutical agents that specifically target cancer cells for effective treatment. In recent years, the use of metal nanoparticles (NPs) as a promising alternative to conventional therapies has gained prominence in cancer research. Metal NPs exhibit unique properties that hold tremendous potential for various applications in cancer treatment. Studies have demonstrated that certain metals possess inherent or acquired anticancer capabilities through their surfaces. These properties make metal NPs an attractive focus for therapeutic development. In this review, we will investigate the applicability of several distinct classes of metal NPs for tumor targeting in cancer treatment. These classes may include gold, silver, iron oxide, and other metals with unique properties that can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Additionally, we will provide a comprehensive summary of the risk factors associated with the therapeutic application of metal NPs. Understanding and addressing these factors will be crucial for successful clinical translation and to mitigate any potential challenges or failures in the translation of metal NP-based therapies. By exploring the therapeutic potential of metal NPs and identifying the associated risk factors, this review aims to contribute to the advancement of cancer treatment strategies. The anticipated outcome of this review is to provide valuable insights and pave the way for the advancement of effective and targeted therapies utilizing metal NPs specifically for cancer patients.

The Effect of the Capping Agents of Nanoparticles on Their Redox Potential

Engineered metallic nanoparticles, which are found in numerous applications, are usually stabilized by organic ligands influencing their interfacial properties. We found that the ligands affect tremendously the electrochemical peak oxidation potentials of the nanoparticles. In this work, identical gold nanoparticles were ligand-exchanged and carefully analyzed to enable a precise and highly reproducible comparison. The peak potential difference between gold nanoparticles stabilized by various ligands, such as 2- and 4-mercaptobenzoic acid, can be as high as 71 mV, which is substantial in energetic terms. A detailed study supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations aimed to determine the source of this interesting effect. The DFT simulations of the ligand adsorption modes on Au surfaces were used to calculate the redox potentials through the thermodynamic cycle method. The DFT results of the peak potential shift were in good agreement with the experimental results for a few ligands, but showed some discrepancy, which was attributed to kinetic effects. The kinetic rate constant of the oxidation of Au nanoparticles stabilized by 4-mercaptobenzoic acid was found to be twice as large as that of the Au nanoparticles stabilized by citrate, as calculated from Laviron's theory and the Tafel equation. Finally, these findings could be applied to some novel applications such as determining the distribution of nanoparticle population in a dispersion as well as monitoring the ligand exchange between nanoparticles.

Retinoblastoma: An update on genetic origin, classification, conventional to next-generation treatment strategies

The most prevalent paediatric vision-threatening medical condition, retinoblastoma (RB), has been a global concern for a long time. Several conventional therapies, such as systemic chemotherapy and focal therapy, have been used for curative purposes; however, the search for tumour eradication with the least impact on surrounding tissues is still ongoing. This review focuses on the genetic origin, classification, conventional treatment modalities, and their combination with nano-scale delivery systems for active tumour targeting. In addition, the review also delves into ongoing clinical trials and patents, as well as emerging therapies such as gene therapy and immunotherapy for the treatment of RB. Understanding the role of genetics in the development of RB has refined its treatment strategy according to the genetic type. New approaches such as nanostructured drug delivery systems, galenic preparations, nutlin-3a, histone deacetylase inhibitors, N-MYC inhibitors, pentoxifylline, immunotherapy, gene therapy, etc. discussed in this review, have the potential to circumvent the limitations of conventional therapies and improve treatment outcomes for RB. In summary, this review highlights the importance and need for novel approaches as alternative therapies that would ultimately displace the shortcomings associated with conventional therapies and reduce the enucleation rate, thereby preserving global vision in the affected paediatric population.

Advances in the Optimization of Fe Nanoparticles: Unlocking Antifungal Properties for Biomedical Applications

In recent years, nanotechnology has achieved a remarkable status in shaping the future of biological applications, especially in combating fungal diseases. Owing to excellence in nanotechnology, iron nanoparticles (Fe NPs) have gained enormous attention in recent years. In this review, we have provided a comprehensive overview of Fe NPs covering key synthesis approaches and underlying working principles, the factors that influence their properties, essential characterization techniques, and the optimization of their antifungal potential. In addition, the diverse kinds of Fe NP delivery platforms that command highly effective release, with fewer toxic effects on patients, are of great significance in the medical field. The issues of biocompatibility, toxicity profiles, and applications of optimized Fe NPs in the field of biomedicine have also been described because these are the most significant factors determining their inclusion in clinical use. Besides this, the difficulties and regulations that exist in the transition from laboratory to experimental clinical studies (toxicity, specific standards, and safety concerns) of Fe NPs-based antifungal agents have been also summarized.

A High-Sensitivity Benchtop X-Ray Fluorescence Emission Tomography (XFET) System With a Full-Ring of X-Ray Imaging-Spectrometers and a Compound-Eye Collimation Aperture

The advent of metal-based drugs and metal nanoparticles as therapeutic agents in anti-tumor treatment has motivated the advancement of X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT) techniques. An XFCT imaging modality can detect, quantify, and image the biodistribution of metal elements using the X-ray fluorescence signal emitted upon X-ray irradiation. However, the majority of XFCT imaging systems and instrumentation developed so far rely on a single or a small number of detectors. This work introduces the first full-ring benchtop X-ray fluorescence emission tomography (XFET) system equipped with 24 solid-state detectors arranged in a hexagonal geometry and a 96-pinhole compound-eye collimator. We experimentally demonstrate the system's sensitivity and its capability of multi-element detection and quantification by performing imaging studies on an animal-sized phantom. In our preliminary studies, the phantom was irradiated with a pencil beam of X-rays produced using a low-powered polychromatic X-ray source (90kVp and 60W max power). This investigation shows a significant enhancement in the detection limit of gadolinium to as low as 0.1 mg/mL concentration. The results also illustrate the unique capabilities of the XFET system to simultaneously determine the spatial distribution and accurately quantify the concentrations of multiple metal elements.

Nanodiamonds: Next generation nano-theranostics for cancer therapy

Cancer remains a leading global cause of mortality, demanding early diagnosis and effective treatment. Traditional therapeutic methods often fall short due to their need for more specificity and systemic toxicity. In this challenging landscape, nanodiamonds (ND) emerge as a potential solution, mitigating the limitations of conventional approaches. ND are tiny carbon particles that mimic traditional diamonds chemical stability and hardness and harness nanomaterials' advantages. ND stands out for the unique properties that make them promising nanotheranostics candidates, combining therapeutic and imaging capabilities in one platform. Many of these applications depend on the design of the particle's surface, as the surface's role is crucial in transporting bioactive molecules, preventing aggregation, and building composite materials. This review delves into ND's distinctive features, structural and optical characteristics, and their profound relevance in advancing cancer diagnosis and treatment methods. The report delves into how these exceptional ND properties drive the development of state-of-the-art techniques for precise tumor targeting, boosting the effectiveness of chemotherapy as a chemosensitizer, harnessing immunotherapy strategies, facilitating precision medicine, and creating localized microfilm devices for targeted therapies.

Extracellular Vesicles: A New Star for Gene Drug Delivery

Recently, gene therapy has become a subject of considerable research and has been widely evaluated in various disease models. Though it is considered as a stand-alone agent for COVID-19 vaccination, gene therapy is still suffering from the following drawbacks during its translation from the bench to the bedside: the high sensitivity of exogenous nucleic acids to enzymatic degradation; the severe side effects induced either by exogenous nucleic acids or components in the formulation; and the difficulty to cross the barriers before reaching the therapeutic target. Therefore, for the successful application of gene therapy, a safe and reliable transport vector is urgently needed. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are the ideal candidate for the delivery of gene drugs owing to their low immunogenicity, good biocompatibility and low toxicity. To better understand the properties of EVs and their advantages as gene drug delivery vehicles, this review covers from the origin of EVs to the methods of EVs generation, as well as the common methods of isolation and purification in research, with their pros and cons discussed. Meanwhile, the engineering of EVs for gene drugs is also highlighted. In addition, this paper also presents the progress in the EVs-mediated delivery of microRNAs, small interfering RNAs, messenger RNAs, plasmids, and antisense oligonucleotides. We believe this review will provide a theoretical basis for the development of gene drugs.

Nano-therapeutics: The upcoming nanomedicine to treat cancer

Nanotechnology is considered a successful approach for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Preferentially, cancer cell recognition and drug targeting via nano-delivery system include the penetration of anticancer agents into the cell membrane to damage the cancer cell by protein modification, DNA oxidation, or mitochondrial dysfunction. The past research on nano-delivery systems and their target has proven the beneficial achievement in a malignant tumor. Modern perceptions using inventive nanomaterials for cancer management have been offered by a multifunctional platform based on various nano-carriers with the probability of imaging and cancer therapy simultaneously. Emerging nano-delivery systems in cancer therapy still lack knowledge of the biological functions behind the interaction between nanoparticles and cancer cells. Since the potential of engineered nanoparticles addresses the various challenges, limiting the success of cancer therapy subsequently, it is a must to review the molecular targeting of a nano-delivery system to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of cancer. This review focuses on using a nano-delivery system, an imaging system, and encapsulated nanoparticles for cancer therapy.

Study of Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activity of Ag- and Mg-Dual-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles

A non-laborious process for the fabrication of silver and magnesium dual doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Ag/Mg-ZnO NP) is described. The wurtzite ZnO nano-structures and the dual doped NP were analyzed by PXRD. SEM data showed the hexagonal morphology of our product, while the gathered anti-bacterial outcomes towards Streptococcus mutans bacteria through micro-dilution technic affirmed the enhanced performance of doped NP compared to the native ones. Furthermore, we gauged the toxic impacts of synthesized pure and Ag/Mg-ZnO NP against a breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell line through an MTT trial, which highlighted the superiority of the doped when compared to the native nanoparticles. In light of these comparisons, the applicability of Ag/Mg-ZnO NP in dental and medical science is proposed.

Nanomedicine for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori: recent advances, challenges and future perspective

Helicobacter pylori infection is linked to gastritis, ulcers and gastric cancer. Nanomedicine offers a promising solution by utilizing nanoparticles for precise drug delivery, countering antibiotic resistance and delivery issues. Nanocarriers such as liposomes and nanoparticles enhance drug stability and circulation, targeting infection sites through gastric mucosa characteristics. Challenges include biocompatibility, stability, scalability and personalized therapies. Despite obstacles, nanomedicine's potential for reshaping H. pylori eradication is significant and showcased in this review focusing on benefits, limitations and future prospects of nanomedicine-based strategies.

Functionalized ZnO-Based Nanocomposites for Diverse Biological Applications: Current Trends and Future Perspectives

The wide array of structures and characteristics found in ZnO-based nanostructures offers them a versatile range of uses. Over the past decade, significant attention has been drawn to the possible applications of these materials in the biomedical field, owing to their distinctive electronic, optical, catalytic, and antimicrobial attributes, alongside their exceptional biocompatibility and surface chemistry. With environmental degradation and an aging population contributing to escalating healthcare needs and costs, particularly in developing nations, there's a growing demand for more effective and affordable biomedical devices with innovative functionalities. This review delves into particular essential facets of different synthetic approaches (chemical and green) that contribute to the production of effective multifunctional nano-ZnO particles for biomedical applications. Outlining the conjugation of ZnO nanoparticles highlights the enhancement of biomedical capacity while lowering toxicity. Additionally, recent progress in the study of ZnO-based nano-biomaterials tailored for biomedical purposes is explored, including biosensing, bioimaging, tissue regeneration, drug delivery, as well as vaccines and immunotherapy. The final section focuses on nano-ZnO particles' toxicity mechanism with special emphasis to their neurotoxic potential, as well as the primary toxicity pathways, providing an overall review of the up-to-date development and future perspectives of nano-ZnO particles in the biomedicine field.

Anti-cancer Application of Nat-ZnFe2O4 Nanoparticles on 2D Tumor Models

Metal/Metal Oxide nanoparticles (M/MO NPs) exhibit potential biomedical applications due to their tunable physicochemical properties. Recently, the biogenic synthesis of M/MO NPs has gained massive attention due to their economical and eco-friendly nature. In the present study, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Nat) flower extract-derived Zinc Ferrite NPs (Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs) were synthesized and physicochemically characterized by FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, DLS, and other instruments to study their crystallinity, size, shape, net charge, presence of phytocompounds on NP's surface and several other features. The average particle size of Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs was approx. 25.87 ± 5.67 nm. XRD results showed the crystalline nature of Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs. The net surface charge on NPs was -13.28 ± 7.18 mV. When tested on mouse fibroblasts and human RBCs, these NPs were biocompatible and hemocompatible. Later, these Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs exhibited potent anti-neoplastic activity against pancreatic, lung, and cervical cancer cells. In addition, NPs induced apoptosis in tested cancer cells through ROS generation. These in vitro studies confirmed that Nat-ZnFe2O4 NPs could be used for cancer therapy. Moreover, further studies are recommended on ex vivo platforms for future clinical applications.

Nano-Drug Delivery Systems Based on Natural Products

Natural products have proven to have significant curative effects and are increasingly considered as potential candidates for clinical prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Compared with synthetic drugs, natural products not only have diverse structures but also exhibit a range of biological activities against different disease states and molecular targets, making them attractive for development in the field of medicine. Despite advancements in the use of natural products for clinical purposes, there remain obstacles that hinder their full potential. These challenges include issues such as limited solubility and stability when administered orally, as well as short durations of effectiveness. To address these concerns, nano-drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising solution to overcome the barriers faced in the clinical application of natural products. These systems offer notable advantages, such as a large specific surface area, enhanced targeting capabilities, and the ability to achieve sustained and controlled release. Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies have provided further evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of nanoparticle-based systems in delivering natural products in preclinical disease models. This review describes the limitations of natural product applications and the current status of natural products combined with nanotechnology. The latest advances in nano-drug delivery systems for delivery of natural products are considered from three aspects: connecting targeting warheads, self-assembly, and co-delivery. Finally, the challenges faced in the clinical translation of nano-drugs are discussed.

Recent Updates in Inhalable Drug Delivery System against Various Pulmonary Diseases: Challenges and Future Perspectives

In the current scenario, pulmonary disease has become a prime burden for morbidity and mortality alongside tremendous social and economic crises throughout the world. Numerous conventional drug delivery system and treatment approach targeting the respiratory region has been driven out. However, effective and accurate recovery has not been achieved yet. In this regard, nanotechnological- based inhalable drug delivery strategy including polymeric, lipidic, or metallic-based respirable microparticles plays an indispensable role in circumventing numerous challenges faced during traditional treatment. Excellent aerodynamic performance leads to enhanced lung targetability, reduced dosing frequency and hence systemic toxicities, as well as improved pharmaceutical attributes, and therefore pharmacokinetic profiles are interminable factors associated with nanotechnologicalbased inhalable delivery. In this review, we comprehensively explored recent advancements in nanotechnologically engineered inhalable formulations targeting each of the mentioned pulmonary diseases. Moreover, we systematically discussed possible respiratory or systemic toxicities about the indeterminate and undefined physicochemical characteristics of inhaled particles.

Novel Biomaterials Based Strategies for Neurodegeneration: Recent Advancements and Future Prospects

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease, pose significant challenges for effective treatment due to the complex nature of the central nervous system and the limited delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain. Biomaterial-based drug delivery systems offer promising strategies to overcome these challenges and improve therapeutic outcomes. These systems utilize various biomaterials, such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, and implants, to deliver drugs, genes, or cells to the affected regions of the brain. They provide advantages such as targeted delivery, controlled release, and protection of therapeutic agents. This review examines the role of biomaterials in drug delivery for neurodegeneration, discussing different biomaterialbased approaches, including surface modification, encapsulation, and functionalization techniques. Furthermore, it explores the challenges, future perspectives, and potential impact of biomaterialbased drug delivery systems in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.

Present and future of metal nanoparticles in tumor ablation therapy

Cancer is an important factor affecting the quality of human life as well as causing death. Tumor ablation therapy is a minimally invasive local treatment modality with unique advantages in treating tumors that are difficult to remove surgically. However, due to its physical and chemical characteristics and the limitation of equipment technology, ablation therapy cannot completely kill all tumor tissues and cells at one time; moreover, it inevitably damages some normal tissues in the surrounding area during the ablation process. Therefore, this technology cannot be the first-line treatment for tumors at present. Metal nanoparticles themselves have good thermal and electrical conductivity and unique optical and magnetic properties. The combination of metal nanoparticles with tumor ablation technology, on the one hand, can enhance the killing and inhibiting effect of ablation technology on tumors by expanding the ablation range; on the other hand, the ablation technology changes the physicochemical microenvironment such as temperature, electric field, optics, oxygen content and pH in tumor tissues. It helps to stimulate the degree of local drug release of nanoparticles and increase the local content of anti-tumor drugs, thus forming a synergistic therapeutic effect with tumor ablation. Recent studies have found that some specific ablation methods will stimulate the body's immune response while physically killing tumor tissues, generating a large number of immune cells to cause secondary killing of tumor tissues and cells, and with the assistance of metal nanoparticles loaded with immune drugs, the effect of this anti-tumor immunotherapy can be further enhanced. Therefore, the combination of metal nanoparticles and ablative therapy has broad research potential. This review covers common metallic nanoparticles used for ablative therapy and discusses in detail their characteristics, mechanisms of action, potential challenges, and prospects in the field of ablation.

Environmental effects and interaction of nanoparticles on beneficial soil and aquatic microorganisms

A steadily increasing production volume of nanoparticles reflects their numerous industrial and domestic applications. These economic successes come with the potential adverse effects on natural systems that are associated with their presence in the environment. Biological activities and effects of nanoparticles are affected by their entry method together with their specificities like their size, shape, charge, area, and chemical composition. Particles can be classified as safe or dangerous depending on their specific properties. As both aquatic and terrestrial systems suffer from organic and inorganic contamination, nanoparticles remain a sink for these contaminants. Researching the sources, synthesis, fate, and toxicity of nanoparticles has advanced significantly during the last ten years. We summarise nanoparticle pathways throughout the ecosystem and their interactions with beneficial microorganisms in this research. The prevalence of nanoparticles in the ecosystem causes beneficial microorganisms to become hazardous to their cells, which prevents the synthesis of bioactive molecules from undergoing molecular modifications and diminishes the microbe population. Recently, observed concentrations in the field could support predictions of ambient concentrations based on modeling methodologies. The aim is to illustrate the beneficial and negative effects that nanoparticles have on aqueous and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as the methods utilized to reduce their toxicity.

N-Hydroxysuccinamide functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with 5-flurouracil for hyperthermic therapy of malignant liver cancer cells by DNA repair disruption

Magnetized iron oxide nanoparticles are ideal materials for biological and biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, super paramagnetic behavior, surface capability, and chemical stability. This research article is narrating the overview of methodologies of preparation, functionalization, characterization and applications of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Super paramagnetic nanoparticles are studied for their hyperthermia properties. The proposed mechanism behind the hyperthermia was damaging the proteins responsible for DNA repair thereby, directly accelerating the DNA damages on cancer cells by increasing the temperature in the vicinity of the cancer cells. In this study, super paramagnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (SPIONs) and anti-cancer drug, 5-fluorouracil, functionalized with N-Hydroxysuccinimide organic molecules. A specific absorption rate at 351 nm can be achieved using UV analysis. The magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles had a cubic crystalline structure. FE-SEM(field emission scanning Electron microscopy) with EDAX(energy dispersive X-ray analysis) analysis shows that the size of the SPION was about 30-100 nm range and the percentage of chemical compositions was higher in the order of Fe, O, C. for particle size analysis, the SPION were positively charged derived at +9.9 mV and its conductivity is measured at 0.826 mS/cm. In-vitro anti-cancerous activity analysis in Hep-G2 cells (liver cancer cells) shows that the 5-fluorouracil functionalized SPIONs have higher inhibition rate than the bare Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were studied for their hyperthermic abilities at two different frequencies such as 3.05 × 106 kAm-1s-1 and 4.58 × 106 kAm-1s-1.The bare Fe3O4 at low magnetic field, 10 mg was required to raise the temperature above 42°- 45 °C and at high magnetic field, 6 mg was enough to raise the same temperature. The 5-fluorouracil functionalized Fe3O4 shows that at low magnetic field, 6 mg is required to raise the hyperthermia temperature and at high magnetic field, 3 mg is required to raise the temperature above 42°- 45 °C. the rate of heating and the temperature achieved with time can be tuned with concentrations as well as magnetic component present in the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Beyond this concentration, the rate of cell death was observed to increase. The saturation and low residual magnetization were revealed by the magnetization analysis, making them well suited for clinical applications.

Current perspectives and trends in nanoparticle drug delivery systems in breast cancer: bibliometric analysis and review

The treatment of breast cancer (BC) is a serious challenge due to its heterogeneous nature, multidrug resistance (MDR), and limited therapeutic options. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs) represent a promising tool for overcoming toxicity and chemotherapy drug resistance in BC treatment. No bibliometric studies have yet been published on the research landscape of NDDS-based treatment of BC. In this review, we extracted data from 1,752 articles on NDDS-based treatment of BC published between 2012 and 2022 from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and some online platforms were used for bibliometric analysis and visualization. Publication trends were initially observed: in terms of geographical distribution, China and the United States had the most papers on this subject. The highest contributing institution was Sichuan University. In terms of authorship and co-cited authorship, the most prolific author was Yu Zhang. Furthermore, Qiang Zhang and co-workers have made tremendous achievements in the field of NDDS-based BC treatment. The article titled "Nanomedicine in cancer therapy: challenges, opportunities, and clinical applications" had the most citations. The Journal of Controlled Release was one of the most active publishers in the field. "Global cancer statistics 2018: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries" was the most cited reference. We also analysed "hot" and cutting-edge research for NDDSs in BC treatment. There were nine topic clusters: "tumour microenvironment," "nanoparticles (drug delivery)," "breast cancer/triple-negative breast cancer," "combination therapy," "drug release (pathway)," "multidrug resistance," "recent advance," "targeted drug delivery", and "cancer nanomedicine." We also reviewed the core themes of research. In summary, this article reviewed the application of NDDSs in the treatment of BC.

Nanoparticles in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

The use of tailored medication delivery in cancer treatment has the potential to increase efficacy while decreasing unfavourable side effects. For researchers looking to improve clinical outcomes, chemotherapy for cancer continues to be the most challenging topic. Cancer is one of the worst illnesses despite the limits of current cancer therapies. New anticancer medications are therefore required to treat cancer. Nanotechnology has revolutionized medical research with new and improved materials for biomedical applications, with a particular focus on therapy and diagnostics. In cancer research, the application of metal nanoparticles as substitute chemotherapy drugs is growing. Metals exhibit inherent or surface-induced anticancer properties, making metallic nanoparticles extremely useful. The development of metal nanoparticles is proceeding rapidly and in many directions, offering alternative therapeutic strategies and improving outcomes for many cancer treatments. This review aimed to present the most commonly used nanoparticles for cancer applications.

Research trends and hot spots in global nanotechnology applications in liver cancer: a bibliometric and visual analysis (2000-2022)

Background

Liver cancer (LC) is one of the most common malignancies. Currently, nanotechnology has made great progress in LC research, and many studies on LC nanotechnology have been published. This study aims to discuss the current status, hot spots, and research trends in this field through bibliometric analysis.

Methods

The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database was searched for papers related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) included from January 2000 to November 2022, and its research hotspots and trends were visualized and analyzed with the help of VOSviewer. In addition, a search was conducted to find LC papers related to nanotechnology. Then we used the visual analysis software VOSviewer and CiteSpace to evaluate the contributions of countries/regions, authors, and journals related to the topic and analyze keywords to understand the research priorities and hot spots in the field as well as the development direction.

Results

There are 1908 papers in the highly cited literature on LC, and its research hotspots are pathogenesis, risk factors, and survival rate. The literature on the application of nanotechnology in LC had 921 papers. Among them, China (n=560, 60.8%) and the United States (n=170, 18.5%) were the countries with the highest number of published papers. Wang Yan (n=11) and Llovet JM (n=131) were the first authors and co-cited authors, respectively. The International Journal of Nanomedicine was the most prolific academic journal (n=41). In addition to "hepatocellular carcinoma" and "nanoparticles", the most frequent keyword was "drug delivery". In recent years, "metastasis" and "diagnosis" appeared in the keyword bursts. This indicates that the application of nanoparticles in the early diagnosis and drug delivery of LC (including liver metastasis) has a good prospect.

Conclusion

Nanotechnology has received more and more attention in the medical field in recent years. As nanoparticles are easily localized in organelles and cells, they can increase drug permeability in tumor tissues, improve drug delivery efficiency and reduce drug toxicity. Our research results were the first scientific evaluation of the application of nanotechnology in LC, providing scholars with research hotspots and development trends.

Albumin-coated copper nanoparticles for photothermal cancer therapy: Synthesis and in vitro characterization

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) have attracted great interest in various biomedical research fields due to their superior optical and plasmonic properties. In the present study, we synthesized bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated CuNPs (BSA-CuNPs) by adopting the aqueous reduction method in 2-step procedures. The prepared BSA-CuNPs were characterized in vitro for their physical characteristics and photothermal activity. The successful synthesis of BSA-CuNPs was verified through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) light spectroscopy. The prepared BSA-CuNPs revealed a great light-to-heat conversion capacity and good photothermal stability. Notably, accompanied by laser irradiation, the BSA-CuNPs elicited significantly higher cytotoxicity on tumor cells than the control group. Preliminary animal studies to determine the biosafety and pharmacokinetics (PK) profiles exhibited that the BSA-CuNPs have a maximum tolerable dose (MTD) of 16 mgCu/kg and a relatively long plasma half-life of 1.98 h. Overall, our findings demonstrated that BSA-CuNPs might be a potential photothermal therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.

Hyaluronic Acid Modified Metal Nanoparticles and Their Derived Substituents for Cancer Therapy: A Review

The use of metal nanoparticles (M-NPs) in cancer therapy has gained significant consideration owing to their exceptional physical and chemical features. However, due to the limitations, such as specificity and toxicity towards healthy cells, their application in clinical translations has been restricted. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide, has been extensively used as a targeting moiety, due to its ability to selectively bind to the CD44 receptors overexpressed on cancer cells. The HA-modified M-NPs have demonstrated promising results in improving specificity and efficacy in cancer therapy. This review discusses the significance of nanotechnology, the state of cancers, and the functions of HA-modified M-NPs, and other substituents in cancer therapy applications. Additionally, the role of various types of selected noble and non-noble M-NPs used in cancer therapy are described, along with the mechanisms involved in cancer targeting. Additionally, the purpose of HA, its sources and production processes, as well as its chemical and biological properties are described. In-depth explanations are provided about the contemporary applications of HA-modified noble and non-noble M-NPs and other substituents in cancer therapy. Furthermore, potential obstacles in optimizing HA-modified M-NPs, in terms of clinical translations, are discussed, followed by a conclusion and future prospects.

Nanotechnology-based radiation therapy to cure cancer and the challenges in its clinical applications

Radiation therapy against cancer frequently fails to attain the desired outcomes because of several restricting aspects. Radiation therapy is not a targeted antitumor treatment, and it poses serious threats to normal tissues as well. In many cases, some inherent features of tumors make them resistant to radiation therapy. Several nanoparticles have shown the capacity to upgrade the viability of radiation treatment because they can directly interact with ionizing radiation to increase cellular radiation sensitivity. Several types of nanomaterials have been investigated as radio-sensitizers, to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy and overcome radio-resistance including, metal-based nanoparticles, quantum dots, silica-based nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, etc. Despite all this research and development, certain challenges associated with the exploitation of nanoparticles to enhance and improve radiation therapy for cancer treatment are encountered. Potential applications of nanoparticles as radiosensitizers is hindered by the difficulties associated with ensuring their production at a large scale with improved characterizations and because of certain biological challenges. By overcoming the shortcomings of nanoparticles like working on the pharmacokinetics, and physical and chemical characterization, the therapy can be improved. It is expected that in the future more knowledge will be available regarding nanoparticles and their clinical efficacy, leading to the successful development of nanotechnology-based radiation therapies for a variety of cancers. This review highlights the limitations of conventional radiotherapy in cancer treatment and explores the potential of nanotechnology, specifically the use of nanomaterials, to overcome these challenges. It discusses the concept of using nanomaterials to enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy and provides an overview of different types of nanomaterials and their beneficial properties. The review emphasizes the need to address the obstacles and limitations associated with the application of nanotechnology in cancer radiation therapy for successful clinical translation.

Prospects for the Use of Metal-Based Nanoparticles as Adjuvants for Local Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is among the most effective approaches for treating cancer. One of the key aspects for successful immunotherapy is to achieve a strong and stable antitumor immune response. Modern immune checkpoint therapy demonstrates that cancer can be defeated. However, it also points out the weaknesses of immunotherapy, as not all tumors respond to therapy and the co-administration of different immunomodulators may be severely limited due to their systemic toxicity. Nevertheless, there is an established way through which to increase the immunogenicity of immunotherapy-by the use of adjuvants. These enhance the immune response without inducing such severe adverse effects. One of the most well-known and studied adjuvant strategies to improve immunotherapy efficacy is the use of metal-based compounds, in more modern implementation-metal-based nanoparticles (MNPs), which are exogenous agents that act as danger signals. Adding innate immune activation to the main action of an immunomodulator makes it capable of eliciting a robust anti-cancer immune response. The use of an adjuvant has the peculiarity of a local administration of the drug, which positively affects its safety. In this review, we will consider the use of MNPs as low-toxicity adjuvants for cancer immunotherapy, which could provide an abscopal effect when administered locally.

Development of New Targeted Nanotherapy Combined with Magneto-Fluorescent Nanoparticles against Colorectal Cancer

The need for non-invasive therapies capable of conserving drug efficiency and stability while having specific targetability against colorectal cancer (CRC), has made nanoparticles preferable vehicles and principal building blocks for the development of complex and multi-action anti-tumoral approaches. For that purpose, we herein report the production of a combinatory anti-tumoral nanotherapy using the production of a new targeting towards CRC lines. To do so, Magneto-fluorescent NANO3 nanoparticles were used as nanocarriers for a combination of the drugs doxorubicin (DOX) and ofloxacin (OFLO). NANO3 nanoparticles’ surface was modified with two different targeting agents, a newly synthesized (anti-CA IX acetazolamide derivative (AZM-SH)) and a commercially available (anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Cetuximab). The cytotoxicity revealed that only DOX-containing nanosystems showed significant and even competitive cytotoxicity when compared to that of free DOX. Interestingly, surface modification with AZM-SH promoted an increased cellular uptake in the HCT116 cell line, surpassing even those functionalized with Cetuximab. The results show that the new target has high potential to be used as a nanotherapy agent for CRC cells, surpassing commercial targets. As a proof-of-concept, an oral administration form of NANO3 systems was successfully combined with Eudragit® enteric coating and studied under extreme conditions.

Current Trends and Prospects for Application of Green Synthesized Metal Nanoparticles in Cancer and COVID-19 Therapies

Cancer and COVID-19 have been deemed as world health concerns due to the millions of lives that they have claimed over the years. Extensive efforts have been made to develop sophisticated, site-specific, and safe strategies that can effectively diagnose, prevent, manage, and treat these diseases. These strategies involve the implementation of metal nanoparticles and metal oxides such as gold, silver, iron oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and copper oxide, formulated through nanotechnology as alternative anticancer or antiviral therapeutics or drug delivery systems. This review provides a perspective on metal nanoparticles and their potential application in cancer and COVID-19 treatments. The data of published studies were critically analysed to expose the potential therapeutic relevance of green synthesized metal nanoparticles in cancer and COVID-19. Although various research reports highlight the great potential of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles as alternative nanotherapeutics, issues of nanotoxicity, complex methods of preparation, biodegradability, and clearance are lingering challenges for the successful clinical application of the NPs. Thus, future innovations include fabricating metal nanoparticles with eco-friendly materials, tailor making them with optimal therapeutics for specific disease targeting, and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of safety, therapeutic efficiency, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution.

Codelivery of Phytochemicals with Conventional Anticancer Drugs in Form of Nanocarriers

Anticancer drugs in monotherapy are ineffective to treat various kinds of cancer due to the heterogeneous nature of cancer. Moreover, available anticancer drugs possessed various hurdles, such as drug resistance, insensitivity of cancer cells to drugs, adverse effects and patient inconveniences. Hence, plant-based phytochemicals could be a better substitute for conventional chemotherapy for treatment of cancer due to various properties: lesser adverse effects, action via multiple pathways, economical, etc. Various preclinical studies have demonstrated that a combination of phytochemicals with conventional anticancer drugs is more efficacious than phytochemicals individually to treat cancer because plant-derived compounds have lower anticancer efficacy than conventional anticancer drugs. Moreover, phytochemicals suffer from poor aqueous solubility and reduced bioavailability, which must be resolved for efficacious treatment of cancer. Therefore, nanotechnology-based novel carriers are employed for codelivery of phytochemicals and conventional anticancer drugs for better treatment of cancer. These novel carriers include nanoemulsion, nanosuspension, nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes that provide various benefits of improved solubility, reduced adverse effects, higher efficacy, reduced dose, improved dosing frequency, reduced drug resistance, improved bioavailability and higher patient compliance. This review summarizes various phytochemicals employed in treatment of cancer, combination therapy of phytochemicals with anticancer drugs and various nanotechnology-based carriers to deliver the combination therapy in treatment of cancer.

Curcumin in the treatment of liver cancer: From mechanisms of action to nanoformulations

Liver cancer is the sixth most prevalent cancer and ranks third in cancer-related death, after lung and colorectal cancer. Various natural products have been discovered as alternatives to conventional cancer therapy strategies, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Curcumin (CUR) with antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities has been associated with therapeutic benefits against various cancers. It can regulate multiple signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, JAK/STAT, p53, MAPKs, and NF-ĸB, which are involved in cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and autophagy. Due to its rapid metabolism, poor oral bioavailability, and low solubility in water, CUR application in clinical practices is restricted. To overcome these limitations, nanotechnology-based delivery systems have been applied to use CUR nanoformulations with added benefits, such as reducing toxicity, improving cellular uptake, and targeting tumor sites. Besides the anticancer activities of CUR in combating various cancers, especially liver cancer, here we focused on the CUR nanoformulations, such as micelles, liposomes, polymeric, metal, and solid lipid nanoparticles, and others, in the treatment of liver cancer.

Novel strategies in melanoma treatment using silver nanoparticles

Melanoma has remarkably gained extensive attention owing to its high morbidity and mortality. Conventional treatment methods still have some problems and defects. Therefore, more and more novel methods and materials have been continuously developed. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted significant interest in the field of cancer research especially for melanoma treatment because of their excellent properties including antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antitumor abilities. In this review, the applications of AgNPs in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cutaneous melanoma are mainly introduced. It also focuses on the therapy strategies of photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and chemotherapy for melanoma treatment. Taken together, AgNPs play an increasingly crucial role in cutaneous melanoma treatment, which have promising application in the future.

Nano-biotechnology in tumour and cancerous disease: A perspective review

In recent years, drug manufacturers and researchers have begun to consider the nanobiotechnology approach to improve the drug delivery system for tumour and cancer diseases. In this article, we review current strategies to improve tumour and cancer drug delivery, which mainly focuses on sustaining biocompatibility, biodistribution, and active targeting. The conventional therapy using cornerstone drugs such as fludarabine, cisplatin etoposide, and paclitaxel has its own challenges especially not being able to discriminate between tumour versus normal cells which eventually led to toxicity and side effects in the patients. In contrast to the conventional approach, nanoparticle-based drug delivery provides target-specific delivery and controlled release of the drug, which provides a better therapeutic window for treatment options by focusing on the eradication of diseased cells via active targeting and sparing normal cells via passive targeting. Additionally, treatment of tumours associated with the brain is hampered by the impermeability of the blood-brain barriers to the drugs, which eventually led to poor survival in the patients. Nanoparticle-based therapy offers superior delivery of drugs to the target by breaching the blood-brain barriers. Herein, we provide an overview of the properties of nanoparticles that are crucial for nanotechnology applications. We address the potential future applications of nanobiotechnology targeting specific or desired areas. In particular, the use of nanomaterials, biostructures, and drug delivery methods for the targeted treatment of tumours and cancer are explored.

Biogenic copper oxide nanoparticles from Bacillus coagulans induced reactive oxygen species generation and apoptotic and anti-metastatic activities in breast cancer cells

The present study examined the anticancer capabilities of Bacillus coagulans supernatant-produced copper oxide nanoparticles (BC-CuONPs) on MCF-7 and SKBR3 cancer cells. The X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential techniques were used to characterize BC-CuONPs. This study also investigated the cellular and molecular processes of NPs' anti-proliferative and apoptotic properties on human breast cancer cells and compared them to the commercial pharmaceutical tamoxifen. The size of the spherical NP was from 5 to 47 nm with negative zeta potential. The MTT results showed the great cytotoxic effect of BC-CuONPs against breast cancer cells. The BC-CuONPs inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The up-regulation of BCL2-associated X (BAX), cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (P21), Caspase 3 (CASP3), and Caspase 9 (CASP9), the down-regulation of BCL2 apoptosis regulator (BCL2), Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation results suggested that BC-CuONPs had a significant apoptotic impact when compared to the control. Scratch tests and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor gene (VEGF) down-regulation demonstrated that BC-CuONPs had anti-metastatic activity. The cell cycle analysis and down-regulation of Cyclin D1 (CCND1) and cyclin dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) revealed that cancer cells were arrested in the sub-G1 phase. Finally, the results showed that the secondary metabolites in the supernatant of Bacillus coagulans could form CuONPs, and biogenic BC-CuONPs showed anti-metastasis and anticancer properties on breast cancer cells while having less adverse effects on normal cells. Therefore, the synthesized CuONPs using B. coagulans supernatant can be shown as a potential candidate for a new therapeutic strategy in cancer management.

Designing Intelligent Nanomaterials to Achieve Highly Sensitive Diagnoses and Multimodality Therapy of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is among the most common malignant tumors of the genitourinary system worldwide. In recent years, the rate of BC incidence has increased, and the recurrence rate is high, resulting in poor quality of life for patients. Therefore, how to develop an effective method to achieve synchronous precise diagnoses and BC therapies is a difficult problem to solve clinically. Previous reports usually focus on the role of nanomaterials as drug delivery carriers, while a summary of the functional design and application of nanomaterials is lacking. Summarizing the application of functional nanomaterials in high-sensitivity diagnosis and multimodality therapy of BC is urgently needed. This review summarizes the application of nanotechnology in BC diagnosis, including the application of nanotechnology in the sensoring of BC biomarkers and their role in monitoring BC. In addition, conventional and combination therapies strategy in potential BC therapy are analyzed. Moreover, different kinds of nanomaterials in BC multimodal therapy according to pathological features of BC are also outlined. The goal of this review is to present an overview of the application of nanomaterials in the theranostics of BC to provide guidance for the application of functional nanomaterials to precisely diagnose and treat BC.

An Overview on Gold Nanorods as Versatile Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy

Gold nanorods (GNRs/AuNRs) are a group of gold nanoparticles which their simple surface chemistry allows for various surface modifications, providing the possibility of using them in the fabrication of biocompatible and functional nano-agents for cancer therapy. AuNRs, moreover, exhibit a maximum absorption of longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) in the near-infrared (NIR) region which overlaps with NIR bio-tissue 'window' suggesting that they are proper tools for thermal ablation of cancer cells. AuNRs can be used for induction of mono or combination therapies by administering various therapeutic approaches such as photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT), and gene therapy (GT). In this review, anticancer therapeutic capacities of AuNRs along with different surface modifications are summarized comprehensively. The roles of AuNRs in fabrication of various nano-constructs are also discussed.

Activities against Lung Cancer of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles: A Review

Nanomedicine is an interdisciplinary field where nanostructured objects are applied to treat or diagnose disease. Nanoparticles (NPs) are a special class of materials at nanometric scale that can be prepared from lipids, polymers, or noble metals through bottom-up approaches. Biological synthesis is a reliable, sustainable, and non-toxic bottom-up method that uses phytochemicals, microorganisms, and enzymes to induce the reduction of metal ions into NPs. Silver (Ag) NPs exhibit potent therapeutic properties that can be exploited to overcome the limitations of current treatment modalities for human health issues such as lung cancer (LC). Here, we review the preparation of AgNPs using biological synthesis and their application against LC using in vitro and in vivo models. An overview of the staging, diagnosis, genetic mutations, and treatment of LC, as well as its main subtypes, is presented. A summary of the reaction mechanisms of AgNPs using microbial cell cultures, plant extracts, phytochemicals, and amino acids is included. The use of capping agents in the biosynthesis of AgNPs with anticancer activity is also detailed. The history and biological activities of metal-based nanostructures synthesized with gold, copper, palladium, and platinum are considered. The possible anticancer mechanisms of AgNPs against LC models are covered. Our perspective about the future of AgNPs in LC treatment and nanomedicine is added.

Biological Use of Nanostructured Silica-Based Materials Functionalized with Metallodrugs: The Spanish Perspective

Since the pioneering work of Vallet-Regí's group on the design and synthesis of mesoporous silica-based materials with therapeutic applications, during the last 15 years, the potential use of mesoporous silica nanostructured materials as drug delivery vehicles has been extensively explored. The versatility of these materials allows the design of a wide variety of platforms that can incorporate numerous agents of interest (fluorophores, proteins, drugs, etc.) in a single scaffold. However, the use of these systems loaded with metallodrugs as cytotoxic agents against different diseases and with distinct therapeutic targets has been studied to a much lesser extent. This review will focus on the work carried out in this field, highlighting both the pioneering and recent contributions of Spanish groups that have synthesized a wide variety of systems based on titanium, tin, ruthenium, copper and silver complexes supported onto nanostructured silica. In addition, this article will also discuss the importance of the structural features of the systems for evaluating and modulating their therapeutic properties. Finally, the most interesting results obtained in the study of the potential therapeutic application of these metallodrug-functionalized silica-based materials against cancer and bacteria will be described, paying special attention to preclinical trials in vivo.

Recent Trend of Ultrasound-Mediated Nanoparticle Delivery for Brain Imaging and Treatment

In view of the fact that the blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents the transport of imaging probes and therapeutic agents to the brain and thus hinders the diagnosis and treatment of brain-related disorders, methods of circumventing this problem (e.g., ultrasound-mediated nanoparticle delivery) have drawn much attention. Among the related techniques, focused ultrasound (FUS) is a favorite means of enhancing drug delivery via transient BBB opening. Photoacoustic brain imaging relies on the conversion of light into heat and the detection of ultrasound signals from contrast agents, offering the benefits of high resolution and large penetration depth. The extensive versatility and adjustable physicochemical properties of nanoparticles make them promising therapeutic agents and imaging probes, allowing for successful brain imaging and treatment through the combined action of ultrasound and nanoparticulate agents. FUS-induced BBB opening enables nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems to efficiently access the brain. Moreover, photoacoustic brain imaging using nanoparticle-based contrast agents effectively visualizes brain morphologies or diseases. Herein, we review the progress in the simultaneous use of nanoparticles and ultrasound in brain research, revealing the potential of ultrasound-mediated nanoparticle delivery for the effective diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders.

Cancer Stem Cells and Their Therapeutic Usage

Cancer stem cells (CSC) have unique characteristics which include self-renewal, multi-directional differentiation capacity, quiescence/dormancy, and tumor-forming capability. These characteristics are referred to as the "stemness" properties. Tumor microenvironment contributes to CSC survival, function, and remaining them in an undifferentiated state. CSCs can form malignant tumors with heterogeneous phenotypes mediated by the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, the crosstalk between CSCs and tumor microenvironment can modulate tumor heterogeneity. CSCs play a crucial role in several biological processes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), autophagy, and cellular stress response. In this chapter, we focused characteristics of cancer stem cells, reprogramming strategies cells into CSCs, and then we highlighted the contribution of CSCs to therapy resistance and cancer relapse and their potential of therapeutic targeting of CSCs.

Biotechnological advancements towards water, food and medical healthcare: A review

The global health status is highly affected by the growing pace of urbanization, new lifestyles, climate changes, and resource exploitation. Modern technologies pave a promising way to deal with severe concerns toward sustainable development. Herein, we provided a comprehensive review of some popular biotechnological advancements regarding the progress achieved in water, food, and medicine, as the most substantial fields related to public health. The emergence of novel organic/inorganic materials has brought about significant improvement in conventional water treatment techniques, anti-fouling approaches, anti-microbial agents, food processing, biosensors, drug delivery systems, and implants. Particularly, a growing interest has been devoted to nanomaterials and their application for developing novel structures or improving the characteristics of standard components. Also, bioinspired materials have been widely used to improve the performance, efficiency, accuracy, stability, safety, and cost-effectiveness of traditional systems. On the other side, the fabrication of innovative devices for precisely monitoring and managing various ecosystem and human health issues is of great importance. Above all, exceptional advancements in designing ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), microelectromechanical systems (MEMs), and implantable medical devices have altered the future landscape of environmental and biomedical research. This review paper aimed to shed light on the wide-ranging materials and devices that have been developed for health applications and mainly focused on the impact of nanotechnology in this field.

High sensitivity detection of nanoparticles permeation through polymer membranes: A physico-chemical and nuclear imaging measurement approach

Diffusion cells are devices made of donor and acceptor compartments (DC and AC), separated by a membrane. They are widely used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, toxicology, and protective equipment tests (e.g., gloves) to measure the kinetics of permeants (molecules and nanoparticles) across biological membranes as the skin. However, rarely is the concentration of permeants in the AC measured in continuous or in real-time, and this limitation leads to significant discrepancies in the calculations of kinetic parameters that define the permeation mechanisms. In this study, a diffusion cell compatible with positron emission tomography was used to measure the permeation kinetics of nanoparticles across glove membranes. The technology allows for the measurement of nanoparticle concentration in real-time in the two compartments (DC and AC) and at a detection sensitivity several orders of magnitude higher compared with conventional spectroscopies, thus allowing a much more precise extraction of kinetic parameters. Ultra-small (<10 nm) gold nanoparticles were used as a model nanoparticle contaminant. They were radiolabeled, and their diffusion kinetics was measured in continuous through latex and nitrile polymer membranes. Permeation profiles were recorded at sub-nanomolar sensitivity and in real-time, thus allowing the high precision extraction of kinetic permeation parameters. The technology, methodology, and data extraction process developed in this work could be applied to measure in real-time the kinetics of diffusion of a whole range of potentially toxic molecules and nanoparticles across polymer membranes, including glove membranes.

Novel archetype in cancer therapeutics: exploring prospective of phytonanocarriers

This paper reports various types of cancer, their incidence, and prevalence all over the globe. Along with the discovery of novel natural drugs for cancer treatment, these present a promising option which are eco-friendly, safe, and provide better acceptability in comparison to synthetic agents that carries multiple side effects. This paper provides an idea about various nanocarriers and phytochemicals, along with how their solubility and bioavailability can be enhanced in nanocarrier system. This report combines the data from various literature available on public domain including PubMed on research articles, reviews, and along with report from various national and international sites. Specialized metabolites (polyphenols, alkaloids, and steroids etc) from medicinal plants are promising alternatives to existing drugs. Studies have suggested that the treatment of cancer using plant products could be an alternative and a safe option. Studies have shown with the several cell lines as well as animal models, that phytomolecules are important in preventing/treating cancer. Phytochemicals often outperform chemical treatments by modulating a diverse array of cellular signaling pathways, promoting cell cycle arrest, apoptosis activation, and metastatic suppression, among others. However, limited water solubility, bioavailability, and cell penetration limit their potential clinical manifestations. The development of plant extract loaded nanostructures, rendering improved specificity and efficacy at lower concentrations could prove effective. Nanocarriers, such as liposomes, nanostructured lipids, polymers, and metal nanoparticles, have been tested for the delivery of plant products with enhanced effects. Recent advances have achieved improvement in the the stability, solubility, bioavailability, circulation time, and target specificity by nanostructure-mediated delivery of phytochemicals. Nanoparticles have been considered and attempted as a novel, targeted, and safe option. Newer approaches such as phyto-nanocarriers with carbohydrates, lignin, and polymers have been considered even more selective and effective modes of drug delivery in biomedical or diagnostic applications.

Biological Response of Human Cancer Cells to Ionizing Radiation in Combination with Gold Nanoparticles

Simple Summary

Various types of metallic nanoparticles and especially gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been utilized in radiation studies to enhance the radiosensitization of cancer cells while minimizing detrimental effects in normal tissue. The aim of our study was to investigate the biological responses of various human cancer cells to gold-nanoparticle-induced radiosensitization. This was accomplished by using different AuNPs and several techniques in order to provide valuable insights regarding the multiple adverse biological effects, following ionizing radiation (IR) in combination with AuNPs. Insightful methodologies such as transmission electron microscopy were employed to identify comprehensively the complexity of the biological damage occurrence. Our findings confirm that AuNP radiosensitization may occur due to extensive and/or complex DNA damage, cell death, or cellular senescence. This multiparameter study aims to further elucidate the biological mechanisms and at the same time provide new information regarding the use of AuNPs as radiosensitizers in cancer treatment.

Abstract

In the context of improving radiation therapy, high-atomic number (Z) metallic nanoparticles and, more importantly, gold-based nanostructures are developed as radiation enhancers/radiosensitizers. Due to the diversity of cell lines, nanoparticles, as well as radiation types or doses, the resulting biological effects may differ and remain obscure. In this multiparameter study, we aim to shed light on these effects and investigate them further by employing X-irradiation and three human cancer cell lines (PC3, A549, and U2OS cells) treated by multiple techniques. TEM experiments on PC3 cells showed that citrate-capped AuNPs were found to be located mostly in membranous structures/vesicles or autophagosomes, but also, in the case of PEG-capped AuNPs, inside the nucleus as well. The colony-forming capability of cancer cells radiosensitized by AuNPs decreased significantly and the DNA damage detected by cytogenetics, γH2AX immunostaining, and by single (γH2AX) or double (γH2AX and OGG1) immunolocalization via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was in many cases higher and/or persistent after combination with AuNPs than upon individual exposure to ionizing radiation (IR). Moreover, different cell cycle distribution was evident in PC3 but not A549 cells after treatment with AuNPs and/or irradiation. Finally, cellular senescence was investigated by using a newly established staining procedure for lipofuscin, based on a Sudan Black-B analogue (GL13) which showed that based on the AuNPs’ concentration, an increased number of senescent cells might be observed after exposure to IR. Even though different cell lines or different types and concentrations of AuNPs may alter the levels of radiosensitization, our results imply that the complexity of damage might also be an important factor of AuNP-induced radiosensitization.

The protein corona reduces the anticancer effect of graphene oxide in HER-2-positive cancer cells

In the last decade, graphene oxide (GO)-based nanomaterials have attracted much attention for their potential anti-cancer properties against various cancer cell types. However, while in vitro studies are promising, following in vivo investigations fail to show any relevant efficacy. Recent research has clarified that the wide gap between benchtop discoveries and clinical practice is due to our limited knowledge about the physical-chemical transformation of nanomaterials in vivo. In physiological environments, nanomaterials are quickly coated by a complex dress of biological molecules referred to as the protein corona. Mediating the interaction between the pristine material and the biological system the protein corona controls the mechanisms of action of nanomaterials up to the sub-cellular level. Here we investigate the anticancer ability of GO in SK-BR-3 human breast cancer cells over-expressing the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), which is functionally implicated in the cell growth and proliferation through the activation of downstream pathways, including the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK/ERK signaling cascades. Western blot analysis demonstrated that GO treatment resulted in a marked decrease in total HER-2, associated with a down-regulation of the expression and activation of protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) thus indicating that GO may act as a potent HER-2 inhibitor. On the other side, the protein corona reverted the effects of GO on HER-2 expression and molecular downstream events to the control level. Our findings may suggest a mechanistic explanation of the reduced anticancer properties of GO-based nanomaterials in vivo. These results may also represent a good prediction strategy for the anticancer activity of nanomaterials designed for biomedical purposes, reaffirming the necessity of exploring their effectiveness under physiologically relevant conditions before moving on to the next in vivo studies.

How to Treat Melanoma? The Current Status of Innovative Nanotechnological Strategies and the Role of Minimally Invasive Approaches like PTT and PDT

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, the incidence and mortality of which are increasing worldwide. Its extensive degree of heterogeneity has limited its response to existing therapies. For many years the therapeutic strategies were limited to surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Fortunately, advances in knowledge have allowed the development of new therapeutic strategies. Despite the undoubted progress, alternative therapies are still under research. In this context, nanotechnology is also positioned as a strong and promising tool to develop nanosystems that act as drug carriers and/or light absorbents to potentially improve photothermal and photodynamic therapies outcomes. This review describes the latest advances in nanotechnology field in the treatment of melanoma from 2011 to 2022. The challenges in the translation of nanotechnology-based therapies to clinical applications are also discussed. To sum up, great progress has been made in the field of nanotechnology-based therapies, and our understanding in this field has greatly improved. Although few therapies based on nanoparticulate systems have advanced to clinical trials, it is expected that a large number will come into clinical use in the near future. With its high sensitivity, specificity, and multiplexed measurement capacity, it provides great opportunities to improve melanoma treatment, which will ultimately lead to enhanced patient survival rates.