Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy: Current Progress and Challenges

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death and morbidity with a complex pathophysiology. Traditional cancer therapies include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. However, limitations such as lack of specificity, cytotoxicity, and multi-drug resistance pose a substantial challenge for favorable cancer treatment. The advent of nanotechnology has revolutionized the arena of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Nanoparticles (1–100 nm) can be used to treat cancer due to their specific advantages such as biocompatibility, reduced toxicity, more excellent stability, enhanced permeability and retention effect, and precise targeting. Nanoparticles are classified into several main categories. The nanoparticle drug delivery system is particular and utilizes tumor and tumor environment characteristics. Nanoparticles not only solve the limitations of conventional cancer treatment but also overcome multidrug resistance. Additionally, as new multidrug resistance mechanisms are unraveled and studied, nanoparticles are being investigated more vigorously. Various therapeutic implications of nanoformulations have created brand new perspectives for cancer treatment. However, most of the research is limited to in vivo and in vitro studies, and the number of approved nanodrugs has not much amplified over the years. This review discusses numerous types of nanoparticles, targeting mechanisms, and approved nanotherapeutics for oncological implications in cancer treatment. Further, we also summarize the current perspective, advantages, and challenges in clinical translation.

Harnessing the Immunogenic Potential of Gold Nanoparticle-Based Platforms as a Therapeutic Strategy in Breast Cancer Immunotherapy: A Mini Review

“…Like liposomes, PLGA NPs are used as nanocarriers for breast cancer therapy. EVs are double-layered phospholipid vesicles secreted by cells ( 44 ), and can be categorized into apoptotic bodies, exosomes, or microvesicles ( 45 ). Doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded into exosomes could be used for breast cancer treatment due to enhanced tumoricidal activity and reduced cardiotoxicity ( 46 ).…”

“…Doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded into exosomes could be used for breast cancer treatment due to enhanced tumoricidal activity and reduced cardiotoxicity ( 46 ). More information on the use of organic NPs in anti-cancer therapies can be found in the review paper by Karpinski and co-workers ( 44 ).…”

“…Inorganic NPs, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs), quantum dots (QDs), and metallic NPs, have higher modifiable surface area to volume ratio that can be easily functionalized ( 47 , 48 ). Discovered in 1980s, CNTs are rolls of graphene that can be categorized as either single-walled or multi-walled ( 44 ). In addition to being good nanocarriers due to their unique biological, chemical, and physical properties, they can also be used for photothermal therapy (PTT) when exposed to near-infrared radiation (NIR) ( 49 ).…”

The Potential Implementation of Biosensors for the Diagnosis of Biomarkers of Various Cancer

“…An immunosensor was reported to be effective for identifying two Salmonella species (S. gallinarum and S. pullorum) in chicken flesh and eggs [25]. To detect E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella typhimurium in chicken and milk samples with a CFU/mL concentration of 10 3 -10 6 a screenprinted interdigitated microelectrode was created [26]. Another enzyme-based biosensor was created in which an enzyme acts as a bioreceptor for detection.…”

Sequential Drug Delivery in Targeted Cancer Therapy

“…Today, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for targeted cancer therapy have attracted increasing attention from researchers due to their ability to deliver therapeutic agents precisely to tumor sites [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. The targeting strategies can be classified into passive and active targeting [ 8 ]. Passive targeting relies on the accumulation of the nanoparticles with specific physicochemical properties (size, charge, etc.)…”