Oligonucleotide-Based Theranostic Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Theranostic approaches, combining the functionality of both therapy and imaging, have shown potential in cancer nanomedicine. Oligonucleotides such as small interfering RNA and microRNA, which are powerful therapeutic agents, have been effectively employed in theranostic systems against various cancers. Nanoparticles are used to deliver oligonucleotides into tumors by passive or active targeting while protecting the oligonucleotides from nucleases in the extracellular environment. The use of quantum dots, iron oxide nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles and tagging with contrast agents, like fluorescent dyes, optical or magnetic agents and various radioisotopes, has facilitated early detection of tumors and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. In this article, we review the advantages of theranostic applications in cancer therapy and imaging, with special attention to oligonucleotide-based therapeutics.

Gold nano‐decorated aligned polyurethane nanofibers for enhancement of neurite outgrowth and elongation

“…To prepare the nanoparticles in this size range, a two‐step seeding‐growth synthesis method was followed . In the first step, seed gold nanoparticles were synthesized by using the slightly modified method of Turkevich method in terms of the amount of added trisodium citrate . To start the process, 0.25 m M solution of HAuCl 4 (Sigma‐Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) was prepared and brought to the boiling point (120°C) inside a reflux system on a magnetic stirrer.…”

“…18 In the first step, seed gold nanoparticles were synthesized by using the slightly modified method of Turkevich method 19 in terms of the amount of added trisodium citrate. 20,21 To start the process, 0.25 mM solution of HAuCl 4 (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO) was prepared and brought to the boiling point (1208C) inside a reflux system on a magnetic stirrer. Then, 1 mL of 3.3% (w/v) trisodium citrate dehydrate solution (Sigma-Aldrich) was added to the reaction flask and stirred in high speed (500 rpm) for 10 min.…”

Functionalized gold nanostructures: promising gene delivery vehicles in cancer treatment

“…31,32 Over the decade, a novel strategy for detection and gene knockdown has been introduced using RNA interference. 33,34 Telomerase which is highly expressed in many types of cancer cells whose activity inhibition using human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) has been investigated in oncology. 35 However, there are challenges that hinder the efficient delivery of hTERTsiRNA at the tissue level as well as the intracellular levels ( Fig.…”

“…[2][3][4] Due to irregular signalling pathways and genetic alterations, the concept of novel molecularly targeted therapeutic strategies such as genesilencing or knockdown therapies have been introduced. [10][11][12][13][14] RNA interference (RNAi), one of the signicant gene therapy approaches followed by tumour resection has fascinated researchers in cancer treatment, 15 where microRNA (miRNA) and plasmid DNA (pDNAs) are frequently utilized because of their higher stability and speci-city than those of small interfering RNA (siRNA). 16,17 Surface-modied gold nanomaterials are acknowledged as favourable gene delivery vehicles, [18][19][20][21] in consequence of their small size, general non-toxicity, ease of functionalization and high surface to volume ratio, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of gold nanoparticles resulting in improved consideration from non-viral siRNA gene delivery.…”

“…16,17 Surface-modied gold nanomaterials are acknowledged as favourable gene delivery vehicles, [18][19][20][21] in consequence of their small size, general non-toxicity, ease of functionalization and high surface to volume ratio, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of gold nanoparticles resulting in improved consideration from non-viral siRNA gene delivery. 11,22,23 Additionally, these nanoparticles can also be used for imaging of tumours by computed tomography, a leading radiologic technology in the eld of biomedical imaging. 24 In continuation of our research work in the eld of nanomaterials and cancer treatment, [25][26][27][28][29][30] the current review focuses on advanced accomplishments of gene therapy in conjugation with gold nanoparticles that stand out as potential candidates for anti-oncological approaches.…”