Inorganic Nanoparticles Applied as Functional Therapeutics

Abstract

Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) offer significant advantages to the biomedical field owing to their large surface area, controllable structures, diverse surface chemistry, and unique optical and physical properties. Researchers worldwide have shown that inorganic NPs and the released metal ions can act as therapeutic agents in targeted tissues or to cure various diseases without acute toxicity. In this progress report, the recent developments in inorganic NPs with different compositions directly used as therapeutics are discussed. First, the recent convergence of nanotechnology and biotechnology in biomedical applications as well as the unique functions, features, and advantages of inorganic NPs in biomedical applications are summarized. Thereafter, the biological effects of inorganic compositions in NPs which include balancing the intracellular redox environment, regulating the specific cellular signaling and cellular behaviors, and apoptosis are explained. In addition, the emerging therapeutic applications of inorganic NPs in various diseases are exemplified. Finally, the perspectives and challenges for overcoming the weaknesses of inorganic NPs as therapeutics are discussed. By carefully considering and investigating the biological effects of inorganic NPs and metal ions released from NPs, more promising inorganic NPs based therapeutic agents can be developed.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Artificial photoactive chlorophyll conjugated vanadium carbide nanostructure for synergistic photothermal/photodynamic therapy of cancer

“…The second procedure relates to the energy transformation pathways from the absorbed light to heat, generally related to photothermal conversion proficiency [11]. Thus, the PTCA agents performed a crucial role in manipulating the photothermal effect of their practical/clinical applications [12]. The PTCA agents with superior NIR light absorption capacity and reduced non-thermal radiative conversions are still essential [13].…”

Organic/Inorganic Self‐Assembled Hybrid Nano‐Architectures for Cancer Therapy Applications

“…[ 32,33 ] Taking advantage of the physiochemical properties, numerous cancer theranostic modalities such as, photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are allowed to be performed. [ 34–37 ] Those modalities can also be further combined with chemotherapy, gene therapy or immunotherapy to obtain a synergistic effect on cancer treatment. [ 33,38 ] Despite of the advantageous physiochemical properties, several inherent drawbacks associated with inorganic NPs have significantly limited their progress in the nanomedicine field.…”

Massively parallel pooled screening reveals genomic determinants of nanoparticle-cell interactions

“…First, we primarily focused on lipid-based and polymeric NP formulations with translational drug delivery potential. We recognize that there are several additional categories of nanomaterials with wide ranging properties, such as inorganic systems, that can be useful for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications( 65, 66 ) and believe additional biomarkers mediating the trafficking of inorganic NPs may be identified using similar screening approaches. Second, the results of in vitro screens are often met with limited success when translated in vivo, as NP-mediated delivery is dependent on many factors beyond the nano-cell interface.…”