Microenvironmental Behaviour of Nanotheranostic Systems for Controlled Oxidative Stress and Cancer Treatment

Abstract

The development of smart, efficient and multifunctional material systems for diseases treatment are imperative to meet current and future health challenges. Nanomaterials with theranostic properties have offered a cost effective and efficient solution for disease treatment, particularly, metal/oxide based nanotheranostic systems already offering therapeutic and imaging capabilities for cancer treatment. Nanoparticles can selectively generate/scavenge ROS through intrinsic or external stimuli to augment/diminish oxidative stress. An efficient treatment requires higher oxidative stress/toxicity in malignant disease, with a minimal level in surrounding normal cells. The size, shape and surface properties of nanoparticles are critical parameters for achieving a theranostic function in the microenvironment. In the last decade, different strategies for the synthesis of biocompatible theranostic nanostructures have been introduced. The exhibition of therapeutics properties such as selective reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, hyperthermia, antibacterial, antiviral, and imaging capabilities such as MRI, CT and fluorescence activity have been reported in a variety of developed nanosystems to combat cancer, neurodegenerative and emerging infectious diseases. In this review article, theranostic in vitro behaviour in relation to the size, shape and synthesis methods of widely researched and developed nanosystems (Au, Ag, MnOx, iron oxide, maghemite quantum flakes, La2O3−x, TaOx, cerium nanodots, ITO, MgO1−x) are presented. In particular, ROS-based properties of the nanostructures in the microenvironment for cancer therapy are discussed. The provided overview of the biological behaviour of reported metal-based nanostructures will help to conceptualise novel designs and synthesis strategies for the development of advanced nanotheranostic systems.

Recent advances in reactive oxygen species scavenging nanomaterials for wound healing

“…Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria or CeNPs) are widely used as an antioxidant and oxygen or free radicals scavengers in biomedical applications. [31,44] Nanoceria have ROS scavenging properties via the reversible switching between Ce 3+ (reduced) and Ce 4+ (oxidized) states in regenerative nanoceria oxidation-reduction cycles [41,[45][46][47] as depicted in Figure 3A. Recent studies investigated the ability of nanoceria on modulation of ROS levels in skin tissue repair and regeneration [14,16,[48][49][50] (Figure 3B,C).…”

New insights into targeted therapy of glioblastoma using smart nanoparticles

“…In vitro experiments show that GNPs exert their cytotoxic effects in cells through induction of oxidative stress [ 123 ]. Cell apoptosis through the generation of oxidative stress is an important mechanism of GNP toxicity [ 124 ]. ROS may disrupt the balance between oxidant and antioxidant cellular processes [ 123 , 124 ].…”

“…Cell apoptosis through the generation of oxidative stress is an important mechanism of GNP toxicity [ 124 ]. ROS may disrupt the balance between oxidant and antioxidant cellular processes [ 123 , 124 ]. According to recent studies, the size-dependent cytotoxicity of gold nanoparticles is enhanced the deeper they penetrate into the target tissue [ 123 ].…”

The Emerging Role of Autophagy as a Target of Environmental Pollutants: An Update on Mechanisms

“…Alumina, fullerenes, cationic dendrimers, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, gold, zinc oxides, and silica were found to activate autophagy by blocking mTOR or promoting the expression and phosphorylation of autophagy-related proteins [ 74 ]. Lanthanum oxide, cerium dioxide, europium oxide, and manganese also triggered autophagy [ 75 ]. Caveolin 1 (CAV1) is an important membrane protein for cell membrane trafficking and autophagy [ 76 ].…”