Inherent Chemotherapeutic Anti-Cancer Effects of Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials

Low-dimensional nanomaterials (LDNs) are receiving increasing attention in cancer therapy owing to their unique properties, especially the large surface area-to-volume ratio. LDNs such as metallic nanoparticles (NPs), hydroxyapatite NPs, graphene derivatives, and black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets have been proposed for drug delivery, photothermal/photodynamic therapies, and multimodal theranostic treatments. The therapeutic effectiveness is mainly based on the physical characteristics of LDNs, but their inherent bioactivity has not been fully capitalized. In this Minireview, recent advances in the anti-cancer effects of various types of LDNs with inherent chemotherapeutic bioactivity are described and the bioactivity mechanisms are discussed on the cellular and molecular levels. BP, one of the newest and exciting members of the LDN family, is highlighted owing to the excellent inherent bioactivity, selectivity, and biocompatibility in cancer therapy. LDNs and related derivatives possess inherent bioactivity and selective chemotherapeutic effects suggesting large potential as nanostructured anti-cancer agents in cancer therapy.     

纳米材料在肿瘤光动力治疗中的研究进展

光动力治疗是新兴的非侵入性癌症治疗方法。纳米材料以其独特的结构以及光物理、光化学性质成为可用于光动力治疗的光敏剂。根据纳米材料的不同种类,分别对无机非金属纳米材料、无机金属纳米材料、有机小分子纳米材料以及有机聚合物纳米材料等的构建策略及其在光动力治疗肿瘤中的应用进行综述。展望了纳米材料在未来肿瘤光动力治疗中的挑战和发展方向。为新一代纳米光敏剂的构建提供创新思路,并扩展其在癌症治疗中的潜力。     

有机纳米材料在肿瘤光热治疗中的应用

光热治疗是利用在近红外具有较强光吸收的材料将光能转化为热能从而杀死癌细胞,与传统的化疗、放疗相比具有副作用小、治疗特异性好的优点。近年来各种不同的纳米材料被用于肿瘤光热治疗,并在动物肿瘤模型实验中取得了令人鼓舞的治疗效果。本文重点介绍几种典型的有机纳米材料在光热治疗中的应用,并讨论这一新兴领域的发展趋势。     

Recent Advances in Carbon Nanomaterials for Cancer Phototherapy

Carbon nanomaterials have received great attention from the scientific community over the past few decades because of their unique physical and chemical properties. In this minireview, we will summarize the recent progress of the use of various carbon nanomaterials in the field of cancer phototherapy. The structural characteristics of each category and the surface functionalization strategies of these nanomaterials will be briefly introduced before focusing on their therapeutic applications. Recent advances on their use in photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and combined phototherapies are presented. Moreover, a few challenges and perspectives on the development of carbon nanomaterials for future theranostics are also discussed.     

Functionalization of bismuth sulfide nanomaterials for their application in cancer theranostics

Multifunctional bismuth sulfide (Bi₂S₃) nanomaterials exhibit significant potential as nanomedicines for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. These nanomaterials act as excellent photothermal agents and radiation sensitizers for the treatment of tumors, and they can also act as contrast agents for computed tomography (CT) imaging, photoacoustic imaging (PA), and other forms of imaging to provide real-time tumor monitoring and testing guidance. Compared with other nanomaterials, Bi₂S₃ nanomaterials can readily adapt to different applications by virtue of the fact that they can be easily functionalized. However, these nanomaterials have some limitations that cannot be ignored and need to be addressed, such as poor biocompatibility, toxicity, and low chemical stability. It is widely believed that appropriate functionalization of Bi₂S₃ nanomaterials could remedy such defects and significantly improve performance. This review summarizes the ways in which Bi₂S₃ nanomaterials can be functionalized and discusses their applications in cancer theranostics over the last few years, focusing particularly on imaging and therapy. We also discuss issues relating to how Bi₂S₃ nanomaterials can be analyzed, including how we might be able to use these systems to inhibit and treat tumors and how current limitations might be overcome to improve treatment efficacy. Finally, we hope to provide inspiration and guidance as to how we might create a more optimized multifunctional nano-system for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.     

Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Plant Extracts as Beneficial Prospect for Cancer Theranostics

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely explored and are well-known for their medical applications. Chemical and physical synthesis methods are a way to make AuNPs. In any case, the hunt for other more ecologically friendly and cost-effective large-scale technologies, such as environmentally friendly biological processes known as green synthesis, has been gaining interest by worldwide researchers. The international focus on green nanotechnology research has resulted in various nanomaterials being used in environmentally and physiologically acceptable applications. Several advantages over conventional physical and chemical synthesis (simple, one-step approach to synthesize, cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and biocompatibility) have drawn scientists’ attention to exploring the green synthesis of AuNPs by exploiting plants’ secondary metabolites. Biogenic approaches, mainly the plant-based synthesis of metal nanoparticles, have been chosen as the ideal strategy due to their environmental and in vivo safety, as well as their ease of synthesis. In this review, we reviewed the use of green synthesized AuNPs in the treatment of cancer by utilizing phytochemicals found in plant extracts. This article reviews plant-based methods for producing AuNPs, characterization methods of synthesized AuNPs, and discusses their physiochemical properties. This study also discusses recent breakthroughs and achievements in using green synthesized AuNPs in cancer treatment and different mechanisms of action, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation, leading to apoptosis, etc., for their anticancer and cytotoxic effects. Understanding the mechanisms underlying AuNPs therapeutic efficacy will aid in developing personalized medicines and treatments for cancer as a potential cancer therapeutic strategy.     

Rhodium Nanoparticles as a Novel Photosensitizing Agent in Photodynamic Therapy against Cancer

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative treatment for different types of cancer due to its high selectivity, which prevents healthy tissues from being damaged. The use of nanomaterials in PDT has several advantages over classical photosensitizing agents, due to their unique properties and their capacity for functionalization. Especially interesting is the use of metallic nanoparticles, which are capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation and either transferring this energy to oxygen molecules for the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or dissipating it as heat. Although previous reports have demonstrated the capacity of Rh derivatives to serve as anti-tumor drugs, to the best of our knowledge there have been no studies on the potential use of small-sized Rh nanoparticles as photosensitizers in PDT. In this study, 5 nm Rh nanoparticles have been synthesized and their potential in PDT has been evaluated. The results show that treatment with Rh nanoparticles followed by NIR irradiation induces apoptosis in cancer cells through a p53-independent mechanism.     

核酸适体-纳米材料复合物用于癌症的诊断与靶向治疗研究进展

因具有独特的光、电、磁、热等优异性能,纳米材料已被广泛应用于生物分析与生物医学领域。核酸适体是一类能够高亲和力和高特异性地与靶标结合的寡核苷酸序列。将核酸适体作为识别单元与纳米材料相结合,可以构建核酸适体-纳米材料复合物。近年来,在肿瘤靶向治疗方面,核酸适体-纳米材料复合物受到了人们的广泛关注。通过纳米材料与具有特异性识别能力的核酸适体的结合,核酸适体-纳米材料复合物可以为癌症治疗提供一种更有效的、低毒副作用的新策略。本文综述了核酸适体-纳米材料复合物作为药物输送载体在癌症的特异性识别与诊断及靶向治疗方面的应用。除此之外,本文还总结了核酸适体-纳米材料复合物与其他新兴技术的有效结合从而提高选择性和癌症治疗效率的相关研究进展。     

Analysis and assessment of the occurrence, the fate and the behavior of nanomaterials in the environment

Nanomaterials have one dimension <100 nm and possess physico-chemical properties dictated by their unusually small size, large surface area, shape and chemical composition. New properties of nanomaterials have boosted their production and industrial applications in many fields (e.g., microelectronics, catalysis, fuel cells, materials science, textiles, biotechnology and medicine). In biomedical fields, nanomaterials are of the appropriate dimensions to interact with biological matter. However, they may also have negative effects on biological systems. Nanotechnology is a major, innovative, scientific and economic growth area, but the increasing production and use of nanomaterials have led to calls for more information regarding the potential impacts that their release may have on human health and the environment.This review addresses analytical approaches for characterization and quantification of nanomaterials in the environment and recent studies on their occurrence, fate and behavior.     

电子显微技术应用于生物纳米材料表征与测试的研究进展

该文简述了电子显微技术的发展历程,并介绍了现代电子显微镜的新功能。针对生物纳米材料理化性能与功能应用的特殊性,结合研究实例,重点阐述运用电子显微结构表征与原位分析测试技术指导构建新颖纳米结构、揭示材料与细胞/组织相互作用并发挥功能的机制。并在此基础上,展望了电子显微技术在生物纳米材料研究领域的发展方向(大尺寸图像拼接、三维重构、动态原位实时成像)。     

Functionalization of bismuth sulfide nanomaterials for their application in cancer theranostics

Multifunctional bismuth sulfide (Bi₂S₃) nanomaterials exhibit significant potential as nanomedicines for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. These nanomaterials act as excellent photothermal agents and radiation sensitizers for the treatment of tumors, and they can also act as contrast agents for computed tomography (CT) imaging, photoacoustic imaging (PA), and other forms of imaging to provide real-time tumor monitoring and testing guidance. Compared with other nanomaterials, Bi₂S₃ nanomaterials can readily adapt to different applications by virtue of the fact that they can be easily functionalized. However, these nanomaterials have some limitations that cannot be ignored and need to be addressed, such as poor biocompatibility, toxicity, and low chemical stability. It is widely believed that appropriate functionalization of Bi₂S₃ nanomaterials could remedy such defects and significantly improve performance. This review summarizes the ways in which Bi₂S₃ nanomaterials can be functionalized and discusses their applications in cancer theranostics over the last few years, focusing particularly on imaging and therapy. We also discuss issues relating to how Bi₂S₃ nanomaterials can be analyzed, including how we might be able to use these systems to inhibit and treat tumors and how current limitations might be overcome to improve treatment efficacy. Finally, we hope to provide inspiration and guidance as to how we might create a more optimized multifunctional nano-system for the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.     

Recent Advances in Nanotechnology for the Treatment of Melanoma

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, with few possibilities for therapeutic approaches, due to its multi-drug resistance and, consequently, low survival rate for patients. Conventional therapies for treatment melanoma include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, which have various side effects. For this reason, in recent years, pharmaceutical and biomedical research has focused on new sito-specific alternative therapeutic strategies. In this regard, nanotechnology offers numerous benefits which could improve the life expectancy of melanoma patients with very low adverse effects. This review aims to examine the latest advances in nanotechnology as an innovative strategy for treating melanoma. In particular, the use of different types of nanoparticles, such as vesicles, polymers, metal-based, carbon nanotubes, dendrimers, solid lipid, microneedles, and their combination with immunotherapies and vaccines will be discussed.     

Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Photothermal Therapy

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials are currently explored as novel photothermal agents because of their ultrathin structure, high specific surface area, and unique optoelectronic properties. In addition to single photothermal therapy (PTT), 2D nanomaterials have demonstrated significant potential in PTT-based synergistic therapies. In this Minireview, we summarize the recent progress in 2D nanomaterials for enhanced photothermal cancer therapy over the last five years. Their unique optical properties, typical synthesis methods, and surface modification are also covered. Emphasis is placed on their PTT and PTT-synergized chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy. The major challenges of 2D photothermal agents are addressed and the promising prospects are also presented.     

Impacting the Remedial Potential of Nano Delivery-Based Flavonoids for Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer persists as a diffuse source of cancer despite persistent detection and treatment. Flavonoids, a type of polyphenol, appear to be a productive option in the treatment of breast cancer, because of their capacity to regulate the tumor related functions of class of compounds. Plant polyphenols are flavonoids that appear to exhibit properties which are beneficial for breast cancer therapy. Numerous epidemiologic studies have been performed on the dynamic effect of plant polyphenols in the prevention of breast cancer. There are also subclasses of flavonoids that have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activity. These can regulate the scavenging activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which help in cell cycle arrest and suppress the uncontrolled division of cancer cells. Numerous studies have also been performed at the population level, one of which reported a connection between cancer risk and intake of dietary flavonoids. Breast cancer appears to show intertumoral heterogeneity with estrogen receptor positive and negative cells. This review describes breast cancer, its various factors, and the function of flavonoids in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, namely, how flavonoids and their subtypes are used in treatment. This review proposes that cancer risk can be reduced, and that cancer can be even cured by improving dietary intake. A large number of studies also suggested that the intake of fruit and vegetables is associated with reduced breast cancer and paper also includes the role and the use of nanodelivery of flavonoids in the healing of breast cancer. In addition, the therapeutic potential of orally administered phyto-bioactive compounds (PBCs) is narrowed because of poor stability and oral bioavailability of compounds in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and solubility also affects bioavailability. In recent years, creative nanotechnology-based approaches have been advised to enhance the activity of PBCs. Nanotechnology also offers the potential to become aware of disease at earlier stages, such as the detection of hidden or unconcealed metastasis colonies in patients diagnosed with lung, colon, prostate, ovarian, and breast cancer. However, nanoformulation-related effects and safety must not be overlooked. This review gives a brief discussion of nanoformulations and the effect of nanotechnology on herbal drugs.     

“Smart” nanomaterials for cancer therapy

Recent development in nanotechnology has provided new tools for cancer therapy and diagnostics. Because of their small size, nanoscale devices readily interact with biomolecules both on the cell surface and inside the cell. Nanomaterials, such as fullerenes and their derivatives, are effective in terms of interactions with the immune system and have great potential as anticancer drugs. Comparatively, other nanomaterials are able to load active drugs to cancer cells by selectively using the unique tumor environment, such as their enhanced permeability, retention effect and the specific acidic microenvironment. Multifunctional and multiplexed nanoparticles, as the next generation of nanoparticles, are now being extensively investigated and are promising tools to achieve personalized and tailored cancer treatments.     

Antioxidant and Prooxidant Nanozymes: From Cellular Redox Regulation to Next-Generation Therapeutics

Nanozymes, nanomaterials with enzyme-mimicking activity, have attracted tremendous interest in recent years owing to their ability to replace natural enzymes in various biomedical applications, such as biosensing, therapeutics, drug delivery, and bioimaging. In particular, the nanozymes capable of regulating the cellular redox status by mimicking the antioxidant enzymes in mammalian cells are of great therapeutic significance in oxidative-stress-mediated disorders. As the distinction of physiological oxidative stress (oxidative eustress) and pathological oxidative stress (oxidative distress) occurs at a fine borderline, it is a great challenge to design nanozymes that can differentially sense the two extremes in cells, tissues and organs and mediate appropriate redox chemical reactions. In this Review, we summarize the advances in the development of redox-active nanozymes and their biomedical applications. We primarily highlight the therapeutic significance of the antioxidant and prooxidant nanozymes in various disease model systems, such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular diseases. The future perspectives of this emerging area of research and the challenges associated with the biomedical applications of nanozymes are described.     

基于碳量子点的绿色合成及生物成像研究进展EI北大核心CSCD

碳量子点(CQDs)作为碳纳米材料家族成员之一,因其原材料广、成本低廉、较高的光致发光性能和良好的生物相容性,在研究和应用领域都受到了广泛的关注,是应用于生物成像的理想材料。CQDs的绿色合成是指采用环保型或无毒型原料,通过绿色合成方法,如炭化法、微波法、水热法等,合成具有荧光性能的无毒碳量子点,与传统的化学氧化、激光烧蚀、热解处理等方法相比,更加绿色环保、经济,其应用已成为研究热点。本文对碳量子点材料特性、绿色合成过程机理、绿色合成原料来源、合成方法,及其在癌细胞、微生物细胞等细胞成像方面的应用进行了综述,探讨了绿色合成CQDs的利弊问题,并提出了今后该研究领域面临的机遇与挑战。     

Two‐Dimensional Nanomaterials for Photothermal Therapy

Two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials are currently explored as novel photothermal agents because of their ultrathin structure, high specific surface area, and unique optoelectronic properties. In addition to single photothermal therapy (PTT), 2D nanomaterials have demonstrated significant potential in PTT‐based synergistic therapies. In this Minireview, we summarize the recent progress in 2D nanomaterials for enhanced photothermal cancer therapy over the last five years. Their unique optical properties, typical synthesis methods, and surface modification are also covered. Emphasis is placed on their PTT and PTT‐synergized chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy. The major challenges of 2D photothermal agents are addressed and the promising prospects are also presented.     

Emerging Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Cancer Therapy

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have drawn tremendous attention due to their unique physicochemical properties and promising applications in the fields of electronics, energy storage, and catalysis. Recently, the biomedicine community has gradually started to recognize the great potential of these nanostructured materials for biomedical applications – in particular those related to cancer therapy. In this review, we provide a brief overview of a few representative 2D nanomaterials, discuss their preparation strategies and physicochemical properties, and highlight their applications in cancer nanomedicine. We expect that this review will shed some light on the new opportunities associated with 2D nanomaterials for biomedical research.     

Advances and Prospects of Gold Nanorods

With the development of nanotechnology, many novel nanomaterials with unique properties such as magnetic, electronics, and photonics are increasingly being exploited. Gold nanorods, which are rod‐shaped nanomaterials, show powerful potential in biological/biomedical fields, especially photothermal therapy, biosensing, imaging, and gene delivery for the treatment of cancer. Many scientific groups have shown strong interests in gold nanorods and have attempted to push them towards possible clinical applications. However, owing to the quantum‐size effects of nanomaterials, people have also raised some concerns about the potential toxicity hazards. Therefore, it is becoming urgent to study and exploit the biological effects of gold nanorods for benefit in the near future.