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

Abstract

Accumulated studies indicate that zero-valent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles demonstrate endogenous cancer-selective cytotoxicity, without any external electric field, lights, or energy, while sparing healthy non-cancerous cells in vitro and in vivo. The anti-cancer activity of ZVI-based nanoparticles was anti-proportional to the oxidative status of the materials, which indicates that the elemental iron is crucial for the observed cancer selectivity. In this thematic article, distinctive endogenous anti-cancer mechanisms of ZVI-related nanomaterials at the cellular and molecular levels are reviewed, including the related gene modulating profile in vitro and in vivo. From a material science perspective, the underlying mechanisms are also analyzed. In summary, ZVI-based nanomaterials demonstrated prominent potential in precision medicine to modulate both programmed cell death of cancer cells, as well as the tumor microenvironment. We believe that this will inspire advanced anti-cancer therapy in the future.

Combination effect of cold atmospheric plasma with green synthesized zero-valent iron nanoparticles in the treatment of melanoma cancer model

“…Also, after entering the aqueous environment and exposing, their inherent reactivity begins to decrease. Therefore, they have low toxicity and environmentally friendly nature [19][20][21][22].…”

One-Pot Photosynthesis of Cubic Fe@Fe3O4 Core–Shell Nanoparticle Well-Dispersed in N-Doping Carbonaceous Polymer Using a Molecular Dinitrosyl Iron Precursor

“…R elying on the high reactivity of nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) as a reducing agent (standard redox potential E 0 = −0.44 V), NZVI has drawn attention in biomedicine, 1 catalysis, 2−4 and multifunctional environmental remediation. 5,6 In anoxic conditions, ZVI can reduce the contaminants (i.e., heavy metal ions and nitrates) in wastewater/groundwater into non/less toxic species.…”

“…Relying on the high reactivity of nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) as a reducing agent (standard redox potential E 0 = −0.44 V), NZVI has drawn attention in biomedicine, catalysis, − and multifunctional environmental remediation. , In anoxic conditions, ZVI can reduce the contaminants (i.e., heavy metal ions and nitrates) in wastewater/groundwater into non/less toxic species. − In the presence of dissolved oxygen (DO), ZVI can produce ·OH via a Fenton reaction to oxidize the organic contaminants and to degrade a large number of chlorinated organic/nitroaromatic compounds (COCs). ,,− To the best our knowledge, reduction of Fe­(II)/Fe­(III) salts by NaBH 4 /dithionite or reduction of iron oxide by hydrogen at elevated temperature were reported to prepare core–shell Fe@Fe­(hydr)­oxide featuring a ZVI% of 20.0–30.8% and 37.9–50.9%, respectively. − Due to the passivated iron oxide shell of core–shell NZVI hampering the electron transfer from the electron-reservoir Fe(0) core, a synthetic strategy for preparation of NZVI with improved ZVI% is demanded. In addition to ZVI%, the development of a synthetic strategy and iron precursors holds the potential to control the core–shell structure, reactivity, and stability of NZVI.…”

Therapeutic and antioxidant potential of bionanofactory Ochrobactrum sp.-mediated magnetite and zerovalent iron nanoparticles against acute experimental toxoplasmosis

“…nZVI, a composite consisting of Fe (0) core and ferric oxide coating, has the potential to interact with pollutants in the environment and influence the living organisms [ 26 , 27 ]. Besides remediation of environment, green-synthesized nZVI possesses anti-cancer [ 28 ], antibacterial [ 29 , 30 ], antifungal [ 30 ], and antischistosomal activities [ 25 ].…”