Nano-Based Theranostic Platforms for Breast Cancer: A Review of Latest Advancements

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is a highly metastatic multifactorial disease with various histological and molecular subtypes. Due to recent advancements, the mortality rate in BC has improved over the past five decades. Detection and treatment of many cancers are now possible due to the application of nanomedicine in clinical practice. Nanomedicine products such as Doxil® and Abraxane® have already been extensively used for BC adjuvant therapy with favorable clinical outcomes. However, these products were designed initially for generic anticancer purposes and not specifically for BC treatment. With a better understanding of the molecular biology of BC, several novel and promising nanotherapeutic strategies and devices have been developed in recent years. In this context, multi-functionalized nanostructures are becoming potential carriers for enhanced chemotherapy in BC patients. To design these nanostructures, a wide range of materials, such as proteins, lipids, polymers, and hybrid materials, can be used and tailored for specific purposes against BC. Selective targeting of BC cells results in the activation of programmed cell death in BC cells and can be considered a promising strategy for managing triple-negative BC. Currently, conventional BC screening methods such as mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are either costly or expose the user to hazardous radiation that could harm them. Therefore, there is a need for such analytical techniques for detecting BC that are highly selective and sensitive, have a very low detection limit, are durable, biocompatible, and reproducible. In detecting BC biomarkers, nanostructures are used alone or in conjunction with numerous molecules. This review intends to highlight the recent advances in nanomedicine in BC treatment and diagnosis, emphasizing the targeting of BC cells that overexpress receptors of epidermal growth factors. Researchers may gain insight from these strategies to design and develop more tailored nanomedicine for BC to achieve further improvements in cancer specificity, antitumorigenic effects, anti-metastasis effects, and drug resistance reversal effects.

Advances with metal oxide-based nanoparticles as MDR metastatic breast cancer therapeutics and diagnostics

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Metal oxide nanoparticles also bear some important inherent properties which are useful for cancer diagnosis and imaging. 5,12 Superparamagnetic metal oxide nanoparticles (Fe, Mn, Gd) are potential candidates for MRI diagnostic agents. 5,12 Iron oxide nanoparticles can target a cancer therapeutic to tumor cells, facilitating targeted delivery and imaging at the same time.…”

“…5,12 Superparamagnetic metal oxide nanoparticles (Fe, Mn, Gd) are potential candidates for MRI diagnostic agents. 5,12 Iron oxide nanoparticles can target a cancer therapeutic to tumor cells, facilitating targeted delivery and imaging at the same time. 5,12 Gold and Ag nanoparticles exhibit surface plasmonic resonance, which imparts them with both imaging and tumor killing properties.…”

“…5,12 Iron oxide nanoparticles can target a cancer therapeutic to tumor cells, facilitating targeted delivery and imaging at the same time. 5,12 Gold and Ag nanoparticles exhibit surface plasmonic resonance, which imparts them with both imaging and tumor killing properties. Besides, metal oxide nanoparticles have the ability to encapsulate, solubilize and bind to a variety of cancer therapeutics including proteins, peptides, dendrimers, polymers, antibody, hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs.…”

“…They can be heated in alternating magnetic eld for use in hyperthermia, as contrast agent for imaging, and as theranostics of breast cancer. 5,12 Besides, emerging applications of metal suldes, transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) lead to timely diagnosis and effective treatment of breast cancers. [13][14][15] Breast cancer is a common disease specially in developed countries including the USA and EU.…”

Bio-Inspired Smart Nanoparticles in Enhanced Cancer Theranostics and Targeted Drug Delivery

“…NPs are capable of functioning as carriers for medication and good imaging agents that bind to specific sites on cancerous tissues. Nanotheranostics is a fast-expanding field, offering a wide range of applications in the medical field, including cancer therapy [ 7 ]. Combinations of nanotechnology and pharmaceutical science can open the way for major advancements in medical research, such as effective drug delivery in cancer targeted therapy [ 8 ].…”