Design of nanorobots for exposing cancer cells

The advancements and prospective developments in anti-tumor targeted therapy

Cancer poses a major threat to human health worldwide. The development of anti-tumor materials provides new modalities for cancer diagnosis and treatment. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the research progress and clinical applications of anti-tumor materials. First, we introduce the etiology and pathogenesis of cancer, and the significance and challenges of anti-tumor materials research. Then, we classify anti-tumor materials and discuss their mechanisms of action. After that, we elaborate the research advances and clinical applications of anti-tumor materials, including those targeting tumor cells and therapeutic instruments. Finally, we discuss the future perspectives and challenges in the field of anti-tumor materials. This review aims to provide an overview of the current status of anti-tumor materials research and application, and to offer insights into future directions in this rapidly evolving field, which holds promise for more precise, efficient and customized treatment of cancer.

A Nanorobotics-Based Approach of Breast Cancer in the Nanotechnology Era

We are living in an era of advanced nanoscience and nanotechnology. Numerous nanomaterials, culminating in nanorobots, have demonstrated ingenious applications in biomedicine, including breast cancer (BC) nano-theranostics. To solve the complicated problem of BC heterogeneity, non-targeted drug distribution, invasive diagnostics or surgery, resistance to classic onco-therapies and real-time monitoring of tumors, nanorobots are designed to perform multiple tasks at a small scale, even at the organelles or molecular level. Over the last few years, most nanorobots have been bioengineered as biomimetic and biocompatible nano(bio)structures, resembling different organisms and cells, such as urchin, spider, octopus, fish, spermatozoon, flagellar bacterium or helicoidal cyanobacterium. In this review, readers will be able to deepen their knowledge of the structure, behavior and role of several types of nanorobots, among other nanomaterials, in BC theranostics. We summarized here the characteristics of many functionalized nanodevices designed to counteract the main neoplastic hallmark features of BC, from sustaining proliferation and evading anti-growth signaling and resisting programmed cell death to inducing angiogenesis, activating invasion and metastasis, preventing genomic instability, avoiding immune destruction and deregulating autophagy. Most of these nanorobots function as targeted and self-propelled smart nano-carriers or nano-drug delivery systems (nano-DDSs), enhancing the efficiency and safety of chemo-, radio- or photodynamic therapy, or the current imagistic techniques used in BC diagnosis. Most of these nanorobots have been tested in vitro, using various BC cell lines, as well as in vivo, mainly based on mice models. We are still waiting for nanorobots that are low-cost, as well as for a wider transition of these favorable effects from laboratory to clinical practice.

Advancements and Challenges in the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Surgical Arena: A Literature Review

This literature review delves into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of surgery, exploring its evolution, applications, and technological advancements. AI, with its ability to mimic human intelligence, presents a paradigm shift in surgical practices. The review critically analyzes a broad range of research, encompassing machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and their diverse applications in preoperative planning, surgical simulation, intraoperative guidance, and postoperative analysis. Ethical, legal, and regulatory considerations, as well as challenges and future directions, are also explored. The study underscores AI's ability to revolutionize surgical visualization and its role in shaping the future of healthcare.

Carbon nanotubes: a powerful bridge for conductivity and flexibility in electrochemical glucose sensors

The utilization of nanomaterials in the biosensor field has garnered substantial attention in recent years. Initially, the emphasis was on enhancing the sensor current rather than material interactions. However, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have gained prominence in glucose sensors due to their high aspect ratio, remarkable chemical stability, and notable optical and electronic attributes. The diverse nanostructures and metal surface designs of CNTs, coupled with their exceptional physical and chemical properties, have led to diverse applications in electrochemical glucose sensor research. Substantial progress has been achieved, particularly in constructing flexible interfaces based on CNTs. This review focuses on CNT-based sensor design, manufacturing advancements, material synergy effects, and minimally invasive/noninvasive glucose monitoring devices. The review also discusses the trend toward simultaneous detection of multiple markers in glucose sensors and the pivotal role played by CNTs in this trend. Furthermore, the latest applications of CNTs in electrochemical glucose sensors are explored, accompanied by an overview of the current status, challenges, and future prospects of CNT-based sensors and their potential applications.

Advances of medical nanorobots for future cancer treatments

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.

Multifaceted Engineered Biomimetic Nanorobots Toward Cancer Management

The noteworthy beneficiary to date in nanotechnology is cancer management. Nanorobots are developed as the result of advancements in the nanostructure, robotics, healthcare, and computer systems. These devices at the nanoscale level are beneficial in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various health conditions notably cancer. Though these structures have distinct potentialities, the usage of inorganic substances in their construction can affect their performance and can cause health issues in the body. To overcome this, naturally inspired substances are incorporated in the fabrication process of nanorobots termed biomimetic nanorobots that can overcome the immunological responses and reduce the side effects with effective functionalization. These biomimetic nanorobots can widen the opportunities in cancer imaging and therapy. Herein, an up-to-date review of biomimetic nanorobots along with their applications in cancer management is provided. Furthermore, the safety issues and future directions of biomimetic nanorobots to achieve clinical translation are also stated.

Advanced drug delivery 2020 and beyond: Perspectives on the future

Drug delivery systems are developed to maximize drug efficacy and minimize side effects. As drug delivery technologies improve, the drug becomes safer and more comfortable for patients to use. During the last seven decades, extraordinary progress has been made in drug delivery technologies, such as systems for long-term delivery for months and years, localized delivery, and targeted delivery. The advances, however, will face a next phase considering the future technologies we need to overcome many physicochemical barriers for new formulation development and biological unknowns for treating various diseases. For immediate and long-term progress into the future, the drug delivery field should use time and resources for more translatable research ideas. The drug delivery discipline has to continue working on basic, applied, translational, and clinical research in a concerted manner to produce drug delivery systems that work for patients. It is a time to focus our attention on things that matter. It is also a time to develop realistic research goals and outcomes, diversify drug delivery technologies, and take the collective responsibility for our actions.