Synthesis and Biomedical Applications of Copper Sulfide Nanoparticles: From Sensors to Theranostics

Abstract

Copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles have attracted increasing attention from biomedical researchers across the globe, because of their intriguing properties which have been mainly explored for energy- and catalysis-related applications to date. This focused review article aims to summarize the recent progress made in the synthesis and biomedical applications of various CuS nanoparticles. After a brief introduction to CuS nanoparticles in the first section, we will provide a concise outline of the various synthetic routes to obtain different morphologies of CuS nanoparticles, which can influence their properties and potential applications. CuS nanoparticles have found broad applications in vitro, especially in the detection of biomolecules, chemicals, and pathogens which will be illustrated in detail. The in vivo uses of CuS nanoparticles have also been investigated in preclinical studies, including molecular imaging with various techniques, cancer therapy based on the photothermal properties of CuS, as well as drug delivery and theranostic applications. Research on CuS nanoparticles will continue to thrive over the next decade, and tremendous opportunities lie ahead for potential biomedical/clinical applications of CuS nanoparticles.

The dissociation of the Hsp60/pro-Caspase-3 complex by bis(pyridyl)oxadiazole copper complex ( CubipyOXA ) leads to cell death in NCI-H292 cancer cells

“…Inorganic compounds have attracted increasing attention for biomedical applications, such as detection and treatment of cancer and other diseases, drug delivery, and in vitro bio-sensing applications [1]. These compounds are taken into consideration because of their cytotoxic activity toward human cancer-cell lines [2], for example, by disrupting protein homeostasis [3].…”

Functionalisation of Colloidal Transition Metal Sulphides Nanocrystals: A Fascinating and Challenging Playground for the Chemist

“…Likewise, they can be diamagnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic [1,44,[293][294][295][296]. A relevant functional property displayed by some metal sulphides, particularly upon doping, is luminescence [46], which is broadly used also in optical bioimaging applications of these compounds [1,10,44,[297][298][299][300]. Sulphide-based luminescent materials have attracted much attention for a wide range of photo-, cathodo-and electroluminescent applications.…”

“…This wide and diversified class of inorganic materials has been the topic of several contributions, addressing their synthesis and characterisation , functionalisation [37][38][39][40], surface chemistry and eventually applications [1,[6][7][8][9][10][11]15,27,30,33,35,[41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49]. Nanocrystals present features which are different from those of bulk materials, particularly at the surface.…”

Copper sulfide nanoparticles: from synthesis to biomedical applications

“…These techniques provide important information on the elemental, structural (e.g., size and shape), and optical properties of CuS NPs [2]. …”

“…Design and synthesis of multifunctional nanomaterials that combine two or more functions have provided potential applications in the diagnostic and treatment of cancer and a myriad of other diseases. Tunable physicochemical properties and their abilities to be efficiently applied in biological systems upon appropriate modification, make nanomaterials among the most promising systems for a range of biomedical applications, such as biosensing, molecular imaging, drug delivery, and therapy [2].…”