Advanced tools for the safety assessment of nanomaterials

Abstract

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have tremendous potential to produce beneficial technological impact in numerous sectors in society. Safety assessment is, of course, of paramount importance. However, the myriad variations of ENM properties makes the identification of specific features driving toxicity challenging. At the same time, reducing animal tests by introducing alternative and/or predictive in vitro and in silico methods has become a priority. It is important to embrace these new advances in the safety assessment of ENMs. Indeed, remarkable progress has been made in recent years with respect to mechanism-based hazard assessment of ENMs, including systems biology approaches as well as high-throughput screening platforms, and new tools are also emerging in risk assessment and risk management for humans and the environment across the whole life-cycle of nano-enabled products. Here, we highlight some of the key advances in the hazard and risk assessment of ENMs.

High‐Aspect‐Ratio Nanostructured Surfaces as Biological Metamaterials

“…The safety of using high‐aspect‐ratio nanostructures in vivo also remains a fundamental challenge. In general, while the nanotoxicology of particles is well established, there have been relatively few studies on the safety of high‐aspect‐ratio nanostructures. It has long been understood that small, micron‐ and nano‐sized particulates have the potential to interfere with proper cell function and growth.…”

“…This is further complicated by biological effects such as the rapid binding of proteins to nanostructures in vivo that further modify nanoparticle bioactivity . Some have suggested adopting high‐throughput screening technologies to rapidly assess the toxicology and safety of different nano‐engineered materials . While issues of safety may seem distant (in particular to researchers working on more fundamental applications), practical considerations, such as the ability to insure workers using nanomaterials, or a regulatory environment that permits clinical translation, have the potential to strongly impact future adoption of any technology.…”

Critical Considerations on the Clinical Translation of Upconversion Nanoparticles (UCNPs): Recommendations from the European Upconversion Network (COST Action CM1403)

“…Controls and reference materials must be in line with biomedical applications and commercial applications in order to bridge the translational gap of UCNPs . The general need for a standardized assessment of NMs has been recognized all over the world . For example, the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory in the US (NCI‐NCL) (https://ncl.cancer.gov/) and the European Union Nanomedicine Characterization Laboratory (EUNCL) (http://www.euncl.eu/) provide state‐of‐the‐art physical, chemical and biological characterization of NMs at the preclinical stage in order to accelerate the process of clinical translation.…”

Toxico‐Metabolomics of Engineered Nanomaterials: Progress and Challenges

“…These perturbed biochemical processes are toxicological endpoints for oxidative stress, arrested cellular proliferation, compromised cell membranes, inflicted reproductive and developmental systems, and other various pathologies . The uncertainty of ENMs in regard to human health and the environment may hamper the exploitation and use of these novel materials in consumer products. Therefore, demanding increased research efforts in the evaluation of the safety of ENMs, in which a complete set of nanotoxicity tests should be performed prior to their incorporation into consumer products.…”