Carbon Nanotubes as Carriers in Drug Delivery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Mechanistic Analysis of Their Carcinogenic Potential, Safety Profiling and Identification of Biomarkers

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a global burden leading to millions of deaths worldwide every year. Nanomedicine refers to the use of materials at the nanoscale for drug delivery and subsequent therapeutic approaches in cancer. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are widely used as nanocarriers for therapeutic molecules such as plasmids, siRNAs, antisense agents, aptamers and molecules related to the immunotherapy for several cancers. They are usually functionalized and loaded with standard drug molecules to improve their therapeutic efficiency. Functionalization and drug loading possibly decrease the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of CNTs. In addition, the targeted cytotoxic properties of the drug improve and undesired toxicity decreases after drug loading and/or conjugation with proteins, including antibodies. For intended drug delivery, a lysosomal pH of 5.5 is more suitable and effective for the slow and extended release of cytotoxic drugs than a physiological of pH 7.4. Remarkably, CNTs possess intrinsic antitumor properties and are usually internalized by endocytosis. After being internalized, several mechanisms are involved in the therapeutic and carcinogenic effects of CNTs. They are generally safe for therapy, and their toxicity profile remains dependent on their physicochemical properties. Moreover, the dose, route, duration of exposure, surface properties and degradative potential determine the toxicity outcomes of CNTs locally or systemically. In summary, the use of CNTs in drug delivery and NSCLC therapy, as well as their genotoxic and carcinogenic potential and the possible mechanisms, has been discussed in this review. The therapeutic index is generally high for NSCLC cells treated with drug-loaded CNTs; therefore, they are effective carriers in implementing targeted therapy for NSCLC.

Carbon-Based Nanomaterials as Drug Delivery Agents for Colorectal Cancer: Clinical Preface to Colorectal Cancer Citing Their Markers and Existing Theranostic Approaches

“…Among CNTs, the average diameters of SWCNTs range between 0.4 and 2 nm, whereas the diameters of DWCNTs and MWCNTs range between 2 and 100 nm, and 1 and 3.5 nm, respectively. , The size of MWCNTs and SWCNTs functionalized or loaded with anticancer drugs range between 5 and 700 nm for effects on in vitro cell lines. In vivo , the diameters may vary from 20 to 50 nm …”

“…In vivo, the diameters may vary from 20 to 50 nm. 70 3.6. Synthesis Methods and Characterization Techniques for CNTs.…”

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