Multifunctional Drug Delivery Systems Using Inorganic Nanomaterials: A Review

Abstract

Targeted drug delivery with controlled rate is vital for therapeutic purpose especially for cancer therapy. Advanced biomaterials with the aid of nanotechnology have evolved as efficient drug delivery systems (DDS), providing a multi-functional platform for simultaneous therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) functions. This review discusses current advances in synthesis and applications of inorganic materials such as quantum dots, carbon nanotubes and graphene oxides for drug delivery. The strategies of surface-functionalization of these inorganic materials to render them biocompatible are also reviewed. The advantages and applications of these biomaterials as multi-functional moiety for bio-imaging, drug targeting and delivery have been discussed. The review concludes with discussion on challenges that limits the practical applications of some materials as a drug carrier for therapeutic use. These issues remain to be fully addressed for their maximum utilization for biomedical applications.

Magnetic metal-complex-conducting copolymer core–shell nanoassemblies for a single-drug anticancer platform

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Recent advances in block copolymer-based self-assembly [7][8][9] have led to the development of various magnetic DDS vehicles [1][2][3][4][5][6] such as polymeric nanocarriers into which prodrugs are often co-encapsulated with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), and these nanocarriers serve to shield the drug and to enable its magnetically guided imaging and local release in response to an alternating magnetic field (AMF).…”

“…However, the synthesis of MNPs with desirable magnetic properties for magnetic DDS platforms requires numerous steps to control the particles' core, diameter, anisotropy, suspension composition and surface coating, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] and requires considerable care to avoid adverse effects in vivo. For example, an excessive dose of MNPs can cause oxidative stress-induced cell injury, 10,11 and slow degradation can lead to accumulation in the liver and other organs, 5,12 resulting in potentially fatal effects such as cardiovascular damage, blood clots and hypersensitivity.…”

“…Compared with traditional MNP-based methods that require additional co-loading processes of drug reagents, [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] the Fe(salen)-based system is unprecedented in that a single agent provides both the magnetic properties and anticancer activity. In other words, the Fe(salen) metal complexes, which have been used in the last few decades as asymmetric catalysts [17][18][19][20] and molecular magnets, 21,22 can be employed as magnetically guided anticancer agents.…”

Inhibition of cancer cell migration with CuS@mSiO₂-PEG nanoparticles by repressing MMP-2/MMP-9 expression

“…Various types of NPs have proven effective in numerous applications in medical diagnostics and treatment. 1 Briefly, the functions of nanomedicine include site-directed drug delivery, 2 imaging or tracing, 3 and even immunomodulation. 4 Moreover, the potential of multifunctional theranostic systems is similar to that of photothermal therapy (PTT) 5 or optical imaging applications 6 in addition to that of the direct influence of the NPs.…”

Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Interaction of N-2-(4-Amine-1.6-Dihydro-1-Methyl-5-Nitroso-6-Oxopirimidinil) Tris-(2-Aminoethyl) Amine with Carbon Nanotube

“…Diversas propriedades podem ser obtidas mediante a funcionalização, como o uso de epóxido para o melhoramento da termoresistência e resistividade química 9 e o transporte de medicamentos. 10,11 Diversos estudos de funcionalização de nanotubos, através da adsorção de receptores aromáticos, úteis para complexar metais de forma seletiva, têm sido realizados com objetivo de obter materiais adsorventes de íons e catalisadores híbridos. 12 A associação do nanotubo com receptores específicos, mediante adsorção, permite estender ainda a aplicação desta molécula à construção de dispositivos com propriedades catalíticas, redox e fotovoltaicas.…”