Engineering Mono‐Chalcogen Nanomaterials for Omnipotent Anticancer Applications: Progress and Challenges

Abstract

Belonging to the chalcogen group, the elements selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) are located in Group VI‐A of the periodic table. Zero‐valent nanodimensioned Se (nano‐Se) and Te (nano‐Te) have displayed important biomedical applications in recent years. The past two decades have witnessed an explosion in novel cancer treatment strategies using nano‐Se and nano‐Te as aggressive weapons against tumors. Indeed, they are both inorganic nanomedicines that suppress tumor cell proliferation, diffusion, and metastasis. Abundant synthesis strategies for rational and precise surface decoration of nano‐Se and nano‐Te make them significant players in resisting cancers by means of powerful multi‐modal treatment methods. This review focuses on the design and engineering of nano‐Se‐ and nano‐Te‐based nanodelivery systems and their precise uses in cancer treatment. The corresponding anticancer molecular mechanisms of nano‐Se and nano‐Te are discussed in detail. Given their different photo‐induced behaviors, the presence or absence of near infrared illumination is used as a defining characteristic when describing the anticancer applications of nano‐Se and nano‐Te. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of nano‐Se and nano‐Te are summarized and highlighted.

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“…For example, Yin et al. designed CpG‐loaded Cu 2+ ‐doped bilayer hydroxide nanosheets (CpG/Cu‐LDH), which acted as immuno‐nano‐enzymes for synergistic CDT and immune response for inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) [159] . The CpG/Cu‐LDH exhibited excellent peroxidase‐like activity and successfully inhibited primary and distant tumor growth.…”

Comprehensive insight into endothelial progenitor cell-derived extracellular vesicles as a promising candidate for disease treatment

“…2 A). EVs are characterized by specific markers, such as membrane proteins (CD9, CD63, and CD81), major histocompatibility complex (MHC), Alix, TSG101, and HSP70 [ 27 ]. Exosomes also contain other proteins, DNA, and different types of RNA including miRNAs, mRNAs, and lncRNAs [ 28 ].…”

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