Search Results (72)

Metal oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) have recently attracted much attention from researchers due to their use in cancer chemotherapy, targeted drug delivery, and diagnosis/MRI imaging. Various studies have demonstrated that different metal oxide NPs show cytotoxic effects by inducing apoptosis in cancerous cells and do not have any toxic impact on normal cells. The mechanism of cytotoxicity is shown through reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by (MONPs) in the cancerous cell. In vitro and in vivo studies reveal that in some cases metal oxide NPs are used alone and somewhere these NPs are used in combination with other therapies such as photodynamic therapy and with anticancer nanomedicines as drug carriers or drug conjugates. The phenomenon of enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect has been the basis of targeted drug delivery to cancerous tumors. Finally, we also provide a simple and comparative analysis of the major apoptosis pathways proposed to increase beginner understanding of anti-cancer nanomaterials. Herein, we have reviewed the most important antitumor results obtained with different metal oxide nanoparticles such as ZnO, Fe₂O₃/Fe₃O₄, CuO/Cu₂O, TiO₂, CeO_2, and HfO₂, respectively. These NPs can be applied to treat cancer by either passive or active processes. A passive process uses the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), due to their unique magnetic and physiochemical properties have been used in magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vitro as well as in vivo. Now, the research has reached the stage of clinical trials for the treatment of various types of cancer. ZnO NPs have been used very vastly in cytotoxic as well as in targeted drug delivery. These NPs are also used for loading anticancer drugs such as doxorubicin. Herein, in this review, we have examined current advances in utilizing MONPs and their analogs as cancer therapeutic, diagnostic, and drug-delivery agents. Full article

Nanotheranostics, combining photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT), can transform precision cancer treatment by integrating diagnosis and therapy into a single platform. This review highlights recent advances in nanomaterials, drug delivery systems, and stimuli-responsive mechanisms for effective PTT and PDT. Multifunctional nanoparticles enable targeted delivery, multimodal imaging, and controlled drug release, overcoming the challenges posed by tumor microenvironments. Emerging approaches such as hybrid therapies and immune activation further enhance therapeutic efficacy. This paper discusses the limitations of nanotheranostics, including synthesis complexity and limited tissue penetration, and explores future directions toward biocompatible, scalable, and clinically translatable solutions. Full article

Neuroblastoma, the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumor, arises from the malignant transformation of neural crest progenitors in the peripheral nervous system. Its clinical and genetic heterogeneity poses significant challenges, especially in high-risk patients with metastatic disease. Two plastic neuroblastoma cell phenotypes, adrenergic (ADR) and mesenchymal (MES), have been identified. Notably, MES neuroblastoma cells exhibit increased migration and chemoresistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment further promote tumor aggressiveness by enhancing cancer cell proliferation, extracellular matrix remodeling, angiogenesis and metastasis. This study explored the role of non-activated fibroblasts in ADR and MES neuroblastoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that MES and ADR neuroblastoma cells influenced fibroblast activation into CAFs differently, with MES cells promoting a more invasive environment leading to tumor spread. These findings enhance our understanding of how ADR and MES phenotypes contribute to the formation of a pro-metastatic niche by activating fibroblasts in CAFs. This insight could inform new therapeutic strategies targeting the tumor microenvironment to prevent neuroblastoma metastasis. Full article

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have emerged as promising systems for delivering active ingredients. They are derived from physiological, biodegradable, and biocompatible lipids, offering benefits such as sustained release promotion and increased drug stability. These systems are apt for the efficient transport of therapeutic drugs to target tissues while also providing advantages such as facilitating large-scale industrial production, bioavailability, and protection against degradation. The preparation of these nanoparticles involves utilizing diverse types of lipids, surfactants, and solvents. Common lipid varieties encompass triglycerides, steroids, and fatty acids, selected based on the active ingredient for stabilization within the lipid matrix. Preparation methods can be categorized into high-energy and low-energy approaches. This study investigated the differences between the main methodologies used, comparing SLN and NLC systems, and scrutinizing their respective advantages, disadvantages, and applications. Full article

Nanomaterials hold significant promise for the future of orthopaedic implants due to their ability to mimic the nanoscale components of the bone, such as collagen fibrils and hydroxyapatite. Nanomaterials can regulate cell behaviour while offering mechanical strength and biocompatibility, making them ideal for bone repair and tissue regeneration. This comprehensive review explores the key existing and potential applications of nanotechnology in orthopaedics, including bone tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, systems combatting implant-related infections, and the surface preparation of implants to enhance osseointegration. These innovations are poised to revolutionise orthopaedic care by improving implant durability, reducing infection risks, and promoting bone regeneration to deliver personalised treatment and create better patient outcomes. Full article

Infectious ocular diseases like keratitis, conjunctivitis, and endophthalmitis pose significant clinical challenges due to the complexities of delivering drugs to the eye. Recent advancements in drug delivery systems offer promising improvements for treating these conditions. Key strategies include targeted delivery through physicochemical modifications, magnetic nanoparticles, and ligand-receptor interactions. This review explores the safety and biocompatibility of ocular drug delivery systems through in vivo ocular toxicity studies, in vitro cytotoxicity assays, hemocompatibility studies, ocular tolerance tests, and genotoxicity assays. It also examines combination therapies and stimuli-responsive delivery systems for their potential to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, we discuss tailored and optimized drug delivery approaches for infectious ocular diseases, outlining current challenges and future directions for developing effective ocular drug delivery systems. Full article

Ferumoxytol injection, also known as Feraheme^®, is an approved IV injectable iron supplement and an experimental MRI contrast agent. Initially, it was approved as an IV bolus agent, but its use was later limited to a slow infusion drip due to high levels of infusion reactions. We collected various batches of ferumoxytol with expiration dates ranging from 2010 to 2025 and compared their size and zeta potential. Since nanoparticle surface properties can affect infusion reactions, we conducted a dot blot immunoassay to measure complement C3 opsonization with ferumoxytol preparations. We observed differences in nanoparticle size and zeta potential between batches and a 2.5-fold variation in complement activation. Interestingly, older batches from 2010 showed more uniform size distribution and lower complement activation than some of the newer batches. This finding may be valuable to the nanomedicine community and regulatory authorities. Full article

The escalating impact and remarkable progress of nanotechnology have shifted the paradigms of medicine and the healthcare system. Nanosystems have emerged, extensively holding the potential to advance disease diagnosis and treatment specificity. The extraordinary attributes imparted by nano-systems have helped in overcoming the limitations of conventional interventions to an extent and led to targeted therapy, to name one. The role of nanotechnology in diagnosis is another breakthrough in its appellation. This article aims to address the current characterization and sample preparation techniques for the analysis of nanosystems and provide insights into novel methodologies and in situ instrumentation that have eased sampling procedures. Full article

PEGylation technology confers stability and modulates the biological performance of a broad range of preclinical and clinical nanopharmaceuticals. However, the emerging PEG immunogenicity in the general population is thought to impact the efficacy and safety of PEGylated medicines. Despite this, the clinical significance of PEG immunogenicity is still not clear and remains debatable. By considering the strategic importance of the PEGylation technology in nanopharmaceutical engineering, we raise a number of critical questions and briefly discuss gaps in the knowledge of PEG immunogenicity and its clinical significance. Full article

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), members of the nanomaterial family, are increasingly being used in consumer products and extensively studied for various biomedical applications. Due to their benign elemental composition, large surface area, and chemical and biological activities, CNTs demonstrate great potential in cancer therapy, including drug delivery, imaging analysis, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and radiotherapy. However, there is still a major knowledge gap when it comes to transitioning from research to clinical applications. One of the important issues is that the biological toxicity of CNTs, especially in terms of carcinogenesis, and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Therefore, a thorough evaluation of toxicity and the underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis is essential to enable the wide application of CNTs. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of CNTs as multifunctional therapeutics in cancer therapy. Furthermore, a detailed discussion is provided on the carcinogenesis and potential mechanisms of CNTs. Finally, the review ends with further challenges and prospects for CNTs with the expectation of facilitating their broader utilization. Full article

Deforestation is a common occurrence driven by agricultural expansion, urbanization, and infrastructure development. These activities often lead to increased human interaction with ecosystems, potentially exposing individuals to Paracoccidioides spores (P. brasiliensis and P. lutzii) found in the soil, resulting in Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM). This fungal infection is endemic to specific regions in Latin America, such as Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical assessment, imaging techniques, and laboratory examinations. P. lutzii lacks the glycoprotein Gp43, a key antigenic protein utilized in serological tests for PCM diagnosis. In this study, a colorimetric test employing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and label-free methodology was employed for P. lutzii detection. The effectiveness of the label-free colorimetric test was assessed using a total of 100 samples. This detection was achieved through the amplification of the gp43 gene and the use of a specific probe (5′CAGGGGTGCG3′) in conjunction with AuNPs. The receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to assess the test, revealing that the method can accurately detect P. lutzii with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%. The findings indicate a substantial impact on remote endemic regions attributable to the implementation of cost-effective diagnostic methodologies. Full article

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) have been investigated as one of the potential dose enhancement agents for radiation therapy. The role of TiO₂ NPs as a photodynamic sensitiser has been well documented, but its sensitisation with X-rays is not highlighted. Unlike other metal NPs, such as gold NPs, the main challenge for TiO₂ NPs as radiosensitisers is their low atomic number, resulting in a small cross-section for X-rays. This review summarises the results of current research in this area to explore the dose enhancement inflicted by TiO₂ NPs, which could potentially be of great value in improving radiation therapy efficiency. Full article

Nanotechnology advancements have resulted in many sensors and devices for biomedical applications. Among the various nanomaterials, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), due to their size, shape, biocompatibility, and unique plasmonic property, are an excellent candidate for many biomedical applications. AuNPs, known for their easy surface modifications, robust nature, and photothermal activities, find application in drug delivery and cancer treatment studies. In this review, we are highlighting the recent trends in using AuNPs as nanomedicine for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer immunotherapy not only eliminates the primary tumors but also allows for the treatment of metastasis along with the recurrence of the tumor. AuNPs possess tissue-specific delivery functions that depend on the tunability in size and surface functionalization of AuNPs. AuNPs can be used to activate the tumor’s immune defense ability, or they can be used to enhance the anti-tumor immune response. Understanding the interaction of the tumor environment and nanobiomedicine is very important. In the present review, we give an idea of the mode of action of AuNPs and various combinations of therapies for cancer immunotherapy. Full article

Graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles, due to their favorable water solubility, compared to graphene (GA), are a hot research topic in biomedical and pharmaceutical research. However, GO clinical translation may be complicated by its high surface/volume ratio enhancing the interaction with human blood components. In fact, GO’s bi-dimensional nature and strong negative charge may lead to severe biological effects, such as thrombogenicity and immune cell activation. This study explores the impact of further GO surface chemical modulation on major adverse effects: blood plasma coagulation and hemolysis. To this aim, we refined GO nanoparticles by fine-tuned reduction chemistry, esterification and introduction of negative or positive charges. With this approach, we were able to mitigate plasma coagulation and hemolysis at variable degrees and to identify GO derivatives with improved biocompatibility. This opens the door to the progress of graphene-based nanotheranostic applications. Full article

The use of carbon nanomaterials including fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, carbon nano-onions, carbon dots and carbon quantum dots for environmental applications has increased substantially. These nanoparticles are now used in the development of sensors and switches, in agriculture as smart fertilizers and in the biomedical realm for cancer therapy intervention, as antioxidants, in gene delivery and as theranostics. Here, we review the role of fullerenes as neuroprotectants. Their sp² hybridized architectures and ability to intervene in the soluble-to-toxic transformation of amyloidogenic trajectories is highlighted here, along with other physico–chemical properties that impact interventional efficacy. Also highlighted are drawbacks that need to be overcome and future prospects. Full article