Functionalization of Metal and Carbon Nanoparticles with Potential in Cancer Theranostics

Abstract

Cancer theranostics is a new concept of medical approach that attempts to combine in a unique nanoplatform diagnosis, monitoring and therapy so as to provide eradication of a solid tumor in a non-invasive fashion. There are many available solutions to tackle cancer using theranostic agents such as photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) under the guidance of imaging techniques (e.g., magnetic resonance—MRI, photoacoustic—PA or computed tomography—CT imaging). Additionally, there are several potential theranostic nanoplatforms able to combine diagnosis and therapy at once, such as gold nanoparticles (GNPs), graphene oxide (GO), superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and carbon nanodots (CDs). Currently, surface functionalization of these nanoplatforms is an extremely useful protocol for effectively tuning their structures, interface features and physicochemical properties. This approach is much more reliable and amenable to fine adjustment, reaching both physicochemical and regulatory requirements as a function of the specific field of application. Here, we summarize and compare the most promising metal- and carbon-based theranostic tools reported as potential candidates in precision cancer theranostics. We focused our review on the latest developments in surface functionalization strategies for these nanosystems, or hybrid nanocomposites consisting of their combination, and discuss their main characteristics and potential applications in precision cancer medicine.

Design and Application of Near-Infrared Nanomaterial-Liposome Hybrid Nanocarriers for Cancer Photothermal Therapy

“…AuNPs may penetrate deeper tissues and completely sustain PTT if the size of AuNPs is smaller than the intercellular space of cancer cells [101]. Moreover, AuNRs with a length of 30-100 nm and an aspect ratio of less than 5, can indeed strongly absorb light in the 700-1000 nm range (NIR light) through surface plasmon resonance, and convert it into heat through fast electrons-phonon/phononphonon processing, which is a useful candidate for cancer PTT [145]. Depending on the different sizes, AuNPs exhibit a local surface plasmon peak, which is often used for the SERS [146,147].…”

Metronomic Anti-Cancer Therapy: A Multimodal Therapy Governed by the Tumor Microenvironment

“…The biomaterials employed to produce NCs are essentially inorganic [263], lipidbased [264,265], or polymeric [266][267][268] in nature (Figure 2). All the biomaterials selected present numerous benefits as carriers for cancer therapy, especially bioavailability, biocom-patibility, an ability to self-assemble, and, due to recent advancements in molecular engineering, the ability to be customized to improve their biological characteristics [269,270].…”

From Microenvironment Remediation to Novel Anti-Cancer Strategy: The Emergence of Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticles

“…The ZVI nanoparticle was originally developed with the intent to improve the magnetic properties of iron oxide-based NPs, which have long been of particular interest in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Various iron oxide NPs have been approved by the FDA as T2-negative contrast agents for MRI and further extended to the alternating magnetic field induced hyperthermotherapy, or combined theranostics [14,24]. Interestingly, ZVI NPs have been extensively applied for the reduction of various organic or inorganic pollutants in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation [25,26], through generation of massive ROS via Fenton reactions and other chemical processes.…”