Advances of Nanomedicine in Radiotherapy

Abstract

Radiotherapy (RT) remains one of the current main treatment strategies for many types of cancer. However, how to improve RT efficiency while reducing its side effects is still a large challenge to be overcome. Advancements in nanomedicine have provided many effective approaches for radiosensitization. Metal nanoparticles (NPs) such as platinum-based or hafnium-based NPs are proved to be ideal radiosensitizers because of their unique physicochemical properties and high X-ray absorption efficiency. With nanoparticles, such as liposomes, bovine serum albumin, and polymers, the radiosensitizing drugs can be promoted to reach the tumor sites, thereby enhancing anti-tumor responses. Nowadays, the combination of some NPs and RT have been applied to clinical treatment for many types of cancer, including breast cancer. Here, as well as reviewing recent studies on radiotherapy combined with inorganic, organic, and biomimetic nanomaterials for oncology, we analyzed the underlying mechanisms of NPs radiosensitization, which may contribute to exploring new directions for the clinical translation of nanoparticle-based radiosensitizers.

Recent Developments in Metallic Nanomaterials for Cancer Therapy, Diagnosing and Imaging Applications

“…Metallic materials with atomic number between 22 and 83 have been researched in radiation therapy for a broad range of purposes, such as radiation dose enhancement, hyperthermia induction, controlled drug delivery, and theranostic applications [166]. In particular, the high atomic number and mass-energy coefficient of Au NPs and Ag NPs make them suitable candidates for radiosensitization in cancer imaging and therapy, while the unique physicochemical properties and high X-ray absorption efficiency of platinum-based or hafnium-based NPs recommend these nanoplatforms as ideal radiosensitizers [6,167].…”

Lanthanide-based MOFs: synthesis approaches and applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy

“…EBRT depends on the external highenergy radiation beam, while RIT delivers therapeutic radioisotopes to the tumor site, causing DNA damage and inducing cell death. 135 Although RT has been widely applied in various cancers as a curative or palliative treatment, many drawbacks, such as low tumor control probability, untargeted radiation dose, and acute adverse effects, limit the development of RT. [136][137][138][139] Fortunately, nanoparticles, as a novel drug delivery platform, have offered many opportunities for enhanced radiotheranostics.…”

Nanoformulation Safety versus Toxicity; What do the Recent Studies Tell Us?

“…Copper oxide nanoparticles were used as antibacterial, biosensing, disinfectants for wastewater, and biolabeling [18]. While photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, antimicrobial agents, and even cosmetic industries are examples of applications in which titanium nanoparticles can be used.…”

“…Hafnium oxide nanoparticles have been investigated to be used in treating soft tissue sarcoma. NBTXR3 is a compound investigated to treat rectal cancer, while PEP503 has been investigated to treat head and neck cancer [18]. Other NPs have great importance in anti-cancer photodynamic therapy, whereas these NPs are quantum dots.…”