Magnetism, Ultrasound, and Light-Stimulated Mesoporous Silica Nanocarriers for Theranostics and Beyond

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive multifunctional mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been studied intensively during the past decade. A large variety of mesopore capping systems have been designed, initially to show that it could be done and later for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and imaging. On-command release of cargo molecules such as drugs from the pores can be activated by a variety of stimuli. This paper focuses on three noninvasive, biologically usable external stimuli: magnetism, ultrasound, and light. We survey the variety of MSNs that have been and are being used and assess capping designs and the advantages and drawbacks of the nanoplatforms' responses to the various stimuli. We discuss important recent advances, their basic mechanisms, and their requirements for stimulation. On the basis of our survey, we identify fundamental challenges and suggest future directions for research that will unleash the full potential of these fascinating nanosystems for clinical applications.

Self-amplification of oxidative stress with tumour microenvironment-activatable iron-doped nanoplatform for targeting hepatocellular carcinoma synergistic cascade therapy and diagnosis

“…Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN NPs) have attracted increased attention as potential drug carriers for biomedical applications [ 30 , 31 ]. Inorganic nanomaterials have higher physicochemical stability and versatility but lower biocompatibility and biodegradability than organic nanomaterials [ 32 , 33 ].…”

Nanoarchitectured prototypes of mesoporous silica nanoparticles for innovative biomedical applications

“…1 ). In most of the instances, the published reviews from us and others are focused on either of the aspects of advancements, for instance, polymer coating/surface modification [ 50 ], or capping [ 33 , 51 ], or framework modification [ 52 ], or discussions restricted to stimuli-responsive delivery [ 53 ], and one of the specific biomedical applications of cancer therapy [ 26 , 31 , 54 ], tissue engineering [ 29 ], as well as bioimaging [ 55 ]. To be precise, in our previous review on advanced MSNs, we were intended to explore the advanced prototypes of MSNs, in which the discussions were predominantly focused only on the physicochemical features and morphological attributes after modifying the MSNs with different ways of surface modification, pore alteration, and molecular impregnation in MSN frameworks [ 43 ].…”

Microbial resistance to nanotechnologies: An important but understudied consideration using antimicrobial nanotechnologies in orthopaedic implants

“…Since then, successful attempts have further extended the materials depository to metal nanoparticles [ 53 ], HA nanoparticles [ 54 ], nano polymers (e.g., chitosan [ 55 ], PLGA (polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid) [ 56 ], PCL (polycaprolactone) [ 57 ]), and many other advanced formulations [ 58 ]. The nano delivery systems can be further modified to impart bacteria-targeting and controlled release properties with special ligands or functional molecules responsive to external stimuli, such as light, magnetic field, temperature, pH, and ultrasonic power [ 59 , 60 ]. Apart from materials with active bacteria-killing effects, antibacterial properties can be achieved with nanomaterials that prevent planktonic bacterial adhesion onto the implants or stimulate the host immune responses with suitable immune cues [ 41 , 61 ].…”