Smart nanomaterials for cancer diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Innovations in nanomedicine has guided the improved outcomes for cancer diagnosis and therapy. However, frequent use of nanomaterials remains challenging due to specific limitations like non-targeted distribution causing low signal-to-noise ratio for diagnostics, complex fabrication, reduced-biocompatibility, decreased photostability, and systemic toxicity of nanomaterials within the body. Thus, better nanomaterial-systems with controlled physicochemical and biological properties, form the need of the hour. In this context, smart nanomaterials serve as promising solution, as they can be activated under specific exogenous or endogenous stimuli such as pH, temperature, enzymes, or a particular biological molecule. The properties of smart nanomaterials make them ideal candidates for various applications like biosensors, controlled drug release, and treatment of various diseases. Recently, smart nanomaterial-based cancer theranostic approaches have been developed, and they are displaying better selectivity and sensitivity with reduced side-effects in comparison to conventional methods. In cancer therapy, the smart nanomaterials-system only activates in response to tumor microenvironment (TME) and remains in deactivated state in normal cells, which further reduces the side-effects and systemic toxicities. Thus, the present review aims to describe the stimulus-based classification of smart nanomaterials, tumor microenvironment-responsive behaviour, and their up-to-date applications in cancer theranostics. Besides, present review addresses the development of various smart nanomaterials and their advantages for diagnosing and treating cancer. Here, we also discuss about the drug targeting and sustained drug release from nanocarriers, and different types of nanomaterials which have been engineered for this intent. Additionally, the present challenges and prospects of nanomaterials in effective cancer diagnosis and therapeutics have been discussed.

An activatable, carrier-free, triple-combination nanomedicine for ALK/EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer highly permeable targeted chemotherapy

“…Compared with normal cells, cancer cells reside within a strongly reducing environment, resulting in a 100-1000-fold higher GSH concentration (E10 mM) compared with normal extracellular matrices. 47,48 The NPs incubated with 10 mM of GSH exhibited a fast release rate, while those treated with lower concentrations (10 mM or 1 mM) of GSH demonstrated a very low release rate. Fig.…”

Tap the sap – investigation of latex-bearing plants in the search of potential anticancer biopharmaceuticals

“…Nanomaterials can be applied as nano carriers for drug delivery ( Mitchell et al., 2021 ) and as contrast agents ( Caspani et al., 2020 ). Additionally, nanostructures are suitable candidates for bioimaging ( Gil et al., 2021 ), theranostics ( Madamsetty et al., 2019 ) and tissue engineering ( Hajialyani et al., 2018 ) as well as cancer diagnostics and therapy ( Singh et al., 2022 ).…”

Recent Advances in Electrochemical Biosensors for Monitoring Animal Cell Function and Viability

“…Clinical monitoring and diagnostic methods that combine high sensitivity, specificity, and rapid detection with sample determination have been widely used [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Specifically, all human bodies and their processes are organized by cells, which are incredibly intricate biomachines [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Their fundamental processes (e.g., proliferation, division, differentiation, and death) should be studied to develop therapeutic approaches for a wide range of disorders and regenerate damaged tissues or organs [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”