Current trends and challenges in cancer management and therapy using designer nanomaterials

Abstract

Nanotechnology has the potential to circumvent several drawbacks of conventional therapeutic formulations. In fact, significant strides have been made towards the application of engineered nanomaterials for the treatment of cancer with high specificity, sensitivity and efficacy. Tailor-made nanomaterials functionalized with specific ligands can target cancer cells in a predictable manner and deliver encapsulated payloads effectively. Moreover, nanomaterials can also be designed for increased drug loading, improved half-life in the body, controlled release, and selective distribution by modifying their composition, size, morphology, and surface chemistry. To date, polymeric nanomaterials, metallic nanoparticles, carbon-based materials, liposomes, and dendrimers have been developed as smart drug delivery systems for cancer treatment, demonstrating enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles over conventional formulations due to their nanoscale size and unique physicochemical characteristics. The data present in the literature suggest that nanotechnology will provide next-generation platforms for cancer management and anticancer therapy. Therefore, in this critical review, we summarize a range of nanomaterials which are currently being employed for anticancer therapies and discuss the fundamental role of their physicochemical properties in cancer management. We further elaborate on the topical progress made to date toward nanomaterial engineering for cancer therapy, including current strategies for drug targeting and release for efficient cancer administration. We also discuss issues of nanotoxicity, which is an often-neglected feature of nanotechnology. Finally, we attempt to summarize the current challenges in nanotherapeutics and provide an outlook on the future of this important field.

Nanocarriers as Magic Bullets in the Treatment of Leukemia

“…The great advantages of nanosystems are their ability to deliver a high amount of an agent (drug, chemical, or biological product) at the desired site, generally increasing its stability and its blood circulation lifetime while decreasing its side effects (for instance to systemic effects associated to chemotherapeutic drugs) [13,14]. Moreover, according to the composition of the system, nanotechnologies allow to encapsulate and deliver hydrophobic molecules, generally difficult to be freely administered, increasing their solubility and biocompatibility [15,16]. Last but not least, the possibilities of surface modification of nanosystems are enormous, paving the way to the targeting of selected receptors.…”

“…Liposomes are extremely versatile nanocarriers ( Figure 1) as they can load both hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules. Hydrophilic molecules are generally encapsulated into the aqueous core, while hydrophobic ones are usually entrapped into the bilayer, among the hydrophobic tails [16]. When the drug is loaded into these systems, it is not bioavailable.…”

Vertically Coated Graphene Oxide Micro‐Well Arrays for Highly Efficient Cancer Spheroid Formation and Drug Screening

“…Curcumin also suppresses tumor growth by interacting with various major cellular proteins (e.g., Nrf2, β‐catenin, p38 MAPK, and COX‐2) and causing epigenetic modulations that include DNA methyltransferase inhibition and histone modification. [ 41–48 ]…”

In Vitro Blood–Brain Barrier-Integrated Neurological Disorder Models Using a Microfluidic Device

“…Several attempts have already been made to measure the transcytosis or penetration of diverse therapeutic agents through the BBB. In particular, surface-functionalized nanoparticles accompanied by encapsulation or surface-modification of drugs are an emerging technology for penetrating the BBB [103][104][105]. Chai et al developed red blood cell membrane-coated nanoparticles with a CDX peptide, which is derived from candoxin and shows a high-binding affinity with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on the surface of the endothelial cell [106].…”