Silica-Based Stimuli-Responsive Systems for Antitumor Drug Delivery and Controlled Release

Abstract

The administration of cytotoxic drugs in classical chemotherapy is frequently limited by water solubility, low plasmatic stability, and a myriad of secondary effects associated with their diffusion to healthy tissue. In this sense, novel pharmaceutical forms able to deliver selectively these drugs to the malign cells, and imposing a space-time precise control of their discharge, are needed. In the last two decades, silica nanoparticles have been proposed as safe vehicles for antitumor molecules due to their stability in physiological medium, high surface area and easy functionalization, and good biocompatibility. In this review, we focus on silica-based nanomedicines provided with specific mechanisms for intracellular drug release. According to silica nature (amorphous, mesostructured, and hybrids) nanocarriers responding to a variety of stimuli endogenously (e.g., pH, redox potential, and enzyme activity) or exogenously (e.g., magnetic field, light, temperature, and ultrasound) are proposed. Furthermore, the incorporation of targeting molecules (e.g., monoclonal antibodies) that interact with specific cell membrane receptors allows a selective delivery to cancer cells to be carried out. Eventually, we present some remarks on the most important formulations in the pipeline for clinical approval, and we discuss the most difficult tasks to tackle in the near future, in order to extend the use of these nanomedicines to real patients.

Unraveling the Intrinsic Biocidal Activity of the SiO2–Ag Composite against SARS-CoV-2: A Joint Experimental and Theoretical Study

“…The major advantage is its high degree of functionalization associated with the presence of a huge quantity of silanol groups on the surface, providing the possibility of loading/release of different kinds of drugs. 14 It is well known that the integration of noble Ag nanoparticles in semiconductors is an effective strategy to enhance biocidal activity due to the synergic effects on the metal/oxide interface. Prospects for the use of these materials in various areas of modern technology require comprehensive studies of their properties and applications.…”

“…Silica (SiO 2 )-based materials have highly versatile structural properties that are interesting platforms or a plethora of applications due to their biocompatibility, nontoxicity, chemical inertness, and very high specific surface area. The major advantage is its high degree of functionalization associated with the presence of a huge quantity of silanol groups on the surface, providing the possibility of loading/release of different kinds of drugs . It is well known that the integration of noble Ag nanoparticles in semiconductors is an effective strategy to enhance biocidal activity due to the synergic effects on the metal/oxide interface.…”

Organosilica-based deformable nanopesticides with enhanced insecticidal activity prepared by flash nanoprecipitation

“…Recently, organosilica nanomaterials are being widely studied in bio-related fields because of their excellent physiochemical stability, high delivery efficiency, and potential targeting properties. [10][11][12][13][14] Particularly, deformable hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (HMONs), containing organic moieties in the framework, have emerged as a new class of organosilica-based materials with excellent surface bonding properties due to their flexible hollow structure and thin permeable shell. For instance, Teng et al successfully fabricated a series of deformable hollow periodic mesoporous organosilicas (HPMO) by a preferential etching approach.…”

Nanocarriers System for Vitamin D as Nutraceutical in Type 2 Diabetes: A Review

“…The most important Since 2002 https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/index thing is the biocompatibility system of the nanocarrier. The system must be safe, non-toxic, and not trigger an immune reaction in the human body [17], [18], [19]. The objective of this review is to highlight the recent update on the development of nanocarrier for Vitamin D and the opportunity to be nutraceuticals in T2DM.…”