Progress of Cancer Nanotechnology as Diagnostics, Therapeutics, and Theranostics Nanomedicine: Preclinical Promise and Translational Challenges

Abstract

Early detection, right therapeutic intervention, and simultaneous effectiveness mapping are considered the critical factors in successful cancer therapy. Nevertheless, these factors experience the limitations of conventional cancer diagnostics and therapeutics delivery approaches. Along with providing the targeted therapeutics delivery, advances in nanomedicines have allowed the combination of therapy and diagnostics in a single system (called cancer theranostics). This paper discusses the progress in the pre-clinical and clinical development of therapeutics, diagnostics, and theranostics cancer nanomedicines. It has been well evident that compared to the overabundance of works that claimed success in pre-clinical studies, merely 15 and around 75 cancer nanomedicines are approved, and currently under clinical trials, respectively. Thus, we also brief the critical bottlenecks in the successful clinical translation of cancer nanomedicines.

Current Trends and Challenges in Pharmacoeconomic Aspects of Nanocarriers as Drug Delivery Systems for Cancer Treatment

“…Another important factor is that the nanodrugs could induce a marked suppression of tumor growth, prolongation of total survival time in cancer patients, and targeted delivery, which might enhance cytotoxic effects on neoplastic cells and restrict adverse effects in the whole body. 10 , 11 All the above advantages make nanotechnology much cheaper than conventional therapies, which can also be reflected in the pharmacoeconomic aspect as the reduction or total avoidance of costs associated with medical (hospitalization, medical devices, monitoring therapy), and non-medical procedures (accommodation, transportation or the informal care).…”

Current and Future Advancements of Raman Spectroscopy Techniques in Cancer Nanomedicine

“…Since theranostics methods involve the use of molecular imaging tools, combinations of drug delivery systems with different imaging techniques (e.g., MRI, CT, or PET) were explored [ 60 ]. The theranostic combination in a single system of the benefits of the diagnostics and therapeutic capabilities of an agent makes nanoparticles an attractive cancer nanotheranostic system [ 61 ], with gold nanoparticles widely used as imaging contrast agents. This type of nanostructure is also employed in photothermal cancer therapy [ 62 ] because of the surface plasmon resonance, which seems to be linked to the localized irreversible cellular damage caused by irradiation, with light of a suitable wavelength, of the area where gold nanoparticles accumulate [ 63 ].…”

Protein-Mediated Transformations of Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles Evidenced by Single-Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Tandem Mass Spectrometry: A Disaggregation Phenomenon

“…[2,3]. The most significant attribute of SPIONs for biomedical use is biocompatibility and biodegradability, which allows them to be trafficked via the iron metabolism pathway [4]. The characterization of the physicochemical properties of SPIONs is of the utmost importance for safe biomedical use in vivo.…”