Disulfiram (DS), in the presence of copper (Cu), exhibited potent broad anticancer activity. However, its clinical application is limited due to the poor solubility and stability. Hence, a novel nanocombination of DS with bacterially synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) was prepared herein to improve the anticancer efficacy of the typical DS–Cu complex. Our design utilized the nanocharacterization

Berberine (Ber) is a herbal alkaloid with pharmacological activity in general and a high anticancer potency in particular. However, due to its low bioavailability, the difficulty in reaching a target and choosing the right dose, there is a need to improve approaches of Ber use in anticancer therapy. In this study, Ber, noncovalently bound to a carbon nanostructure C60 fullerene (C60) at various molar

The apoptosis (a cascade of biochemical reactions leading to suicide of damaged biological cells) is blocked in the cancer cells because of impossibility of cytochrome c (cytC) go out from the mitochondria. However, the apoptosis can be started by introducing of exogenous cytC into cytoplasm using colloid particles as a protein carrier due to ability of the cancer cells to phagocytize extracellular

The role of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) involved in breast cancer metastasis and chemoresistance has been increasingly recognized. However, it is necessary to search for more effective strategies to inhibit EMT thereby increase the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs. Emodin has a potential in overcoming tumor drug resistance and restraining the development of EMT,

Immune evasion is an important hallmark of cancer progression and tumourigenesis. Among the cancer types, cervical cancer has very high global prevalence, severely affecting female reproductive health. Its preponderance is also observed in the Indian health sector. The NLRP3 inflammasome, an intracellular complex regulates the innate immune activity and a variant gene of it has been significantly associated

Cancer is one of the most common incident in the world, with malignant tumors having a death rate of up to 19%. A new method of treating cancer cells effectively with minimal cytotoxicity is needed. In the field of biomedicine with unique shape-dependent optical properties, gold nanorods (GNRs) have attracted worldwide interest. These nanorods have two distinct plasmon bands. One is transverse plasmon

Combination chemo-photothermal therapy appears to be one of the next generations of cancer treatment. In this study hollow gold nanostars (HGNSs) and gold nanocages (GNCs) were synthesized and stabilized with thermo-pH-sensitive thiol-end capped ABC triblock copolymer poly(acrylic acid)-b-poly(N isopropylacrylamide)-b-poly (e-caprolactone)-SH; PAA-b-PNIPAAm-b-PCL-SH (GNSs@Pol). Doxorubicin (Dox) was

In the last decade, graphene oxide-based nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), have attracted more and more attention in the field of biomedicine. Due to the versatile surface functionalization, ultra-high surface area, and excellent biocompatibility of graphene oxide-based nanomaterials, which hold better promise for potential applications than among other nanomaterials

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most daunting issues to modern therapeutics, with a higher mortality rate post-diagnosis. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the only available treatment; however, the frequent resistance leaves the oncologists at a dead end. Therefore, new approaches to circumvent the GBM are highly desired. We have employed TiO2 nanosticks loaded with TMZ as nanomedicine for TMZ-resistant

In our earlier work, we identified microRNA-10b (miR10b) as a master regulator of the viability of metastatic tumor cells. This knowledge allowed us to design a miR10b-targeted therapeutic consisting of an anti-miR10b antagomir conjugated to ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles (MN), termed MN-anti-miR10b. In mouse models of breast cancer, we demonstrated that MN-anti-miR10b caused durable regressions

Breast cancer is one of the most challenging cancers among women which is considered one of the most lethal cancers to this date. From the time that cancer has been discovered, finding the best therapeutic method is still an ongoing process. As a novel therapeutic method, nanomedicine has brought a vast number of materials that could versatilely be used as a drug carrier. The purpose of this study

Melittin, a peptide component of honey bee venom, is an appealing candidate for cancer therapy. In the current study, melittin, melittin-loaded niosome, and empty niosome had been optimized and the anticancer effect assessed in vitro on 4T1 and SKBR3 breast cell lines and in vivo on BALB/C inbred mice. "Thin-layer hydration method" was used for preparing the niosomes; different niosomal formulations

Brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain one of the most challenging malignancies. Afatinib (Afa) is an orally administered irreversible ErbB family blocker approved for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated NSCLC. However, the incidence of brain metastases in patients with NSCLC and EGFR mutation is high. One of the major obstacles in the treatment of brain metastases

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid malignancy in childhood which, despite the current progress in radiotherapy and chemotherapy protocols, still has a high mortality rate in high risk tumors. Nanomedicine offers exciting and unexploited opportunities to overcome the shortcomings of conventional medicine. The photocatalytic properties of Fe3O4 core-TiO2 shell nanocomposites and their

Cancer constitutes group of diseases responsible for the second largest cause of global death, and it is currently considered one of the main public health concerns nowadays. Early diagnosis associated with the best choice of therapeutic strategy, is essential to achieve success in cancer treatment. In women, breast cancer is the second most common type, whereas ovarian cancer has the highest lethality

In this label-free bioassay, an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor was developed for the quantification of breast cancer using HER-2 protein as a metastatic biomarker. For this purpose, the ECL emitter, [Ru(bpy)3]2+, was embedded into biocompatible chitosan (CS) polymer. The prepared bio-composite offered high ECL reading due to the depletion of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Lung cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers all over the world and is also one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. The main treatment option for small cell lung cancer, conventional chemotherapy, is characterized by a lack of specificity, resulting in severe adverse effects. Therefore, this study aimed at developing a new targeted drug delivery (TDD) system based on Ag–In–Zn–S

Magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) is a successful nanotechnology application in recent decade where a biocompatible magnetic fluid is used to kill cancer cells in a controlled heating using AC magnetic field. In the present study, two ferrite-based magnetic fluids, with and without surfactant coating, were synthesized to study the effect of the outer layer of magnetic nanoparticles on cervical cancer

The skin is both a target and a potential conduit for the delivery of drugs, but its cornified cell layer resists penetration by most molecules. This study investigated the potential of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles to facilitate the transdermal delivery of anticancer agents. Chemotherapeutic cancer drugs were applied with or without nanoparticles to the skin of hairless mice, and their

Despite advances in glioblastoma (GBM) treatments, current approaches have failed to improve the overall survival of patients. The oncogene BMI-1, a core member of the polycomb group proteins, is a potential novel therapeutic target for GBM. To enhance the efficacy and reduce the toxicity, PTC209, a BMI-1 inhibitor, was loaded into a PLGA–PEG nanoparticle conjugated with CD133 antibody (Nano-PTC209)

In this study, we report on the synthesis, imaging, and radiosensitizing properties of ultrasmall β-NaGdF4:Yb50% nanoparticles as a multifunctional theranostic platform. The synthesized nanoparticles act as potent bimodal contrast agents with superior imaging properties compared to existing agents used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). Clonogenic assays demonstrated

Here, we examined the tumoricidal effect of Gemini surfactant nanoparticles enriched with curcumin on 3D spheroid HT-29 cells. The delivery of curcumin and other phytocompounds to the tumor niche is an important challenge. Spheroid HT-29 cells were generated by using a conventional hanging drop method and exposed to different concentrations of Gemini-curcumin nanoparticles. The changes in spheroid

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a mosaic of various structural and functional proteins that cooperate with the cell, regulate adhesion, and consequently manage its further fate. Liver destruction is accompanied by a disruption of the physicochemical properties of the ECM which deregulates the cell–ECM interaction and can lead to uncontrolled proliferation and neoplastic transformation of cells. Therefore

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest gynecological malignancies. While the overall survival of ovarian cancer patients has slightly improved in recent years in the developed world, it remains clinically challenging due to its frequent late diagnosis and the lack of reliable diagnostic and/or prognostic markers. The aim of this study was to identify potential new molecular target proteins (NMTPs)

The present study aims to develop a nanoparticle encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) siRNA and evaluate its anti-tumor effects on hepatoma carcinoma (HCC). Nanoparticle encapsulating DOX and PD-L1 siRNA (NPDOX/siPD-L1) was characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Flow cytometry was applied to analyze cell populations, NPDOX/siPD-L1

Amphiphilic block copolymers used as nanomicelle drug carriers can effectively overcome poor drug solubility and specificity issues. Hence, these platforms have a broad applicability in cancer treatment. In this study, Pluronic F127 was used to fabricate nanomicelles containing the histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA, which has an epigenetic-driven anti-cancer effect in several tumor types. SAHA-loaded

Breast cancer is therapeutically very challenging to treat as it has the main four known genetic alterations, which result in the existence of several phenotypes leading to the difference in the mode of therapy and with poor outcome. Metallic nanoparticles of silver or copper have been studied previously as anticancer agents in breast cancer and other types of cancers. However, the anticancer effect

Breast cancer is a major cause of cancer-associated deaths in the United States. It was estimated that 12% of women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. The human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2/neu) is a growth-promoting protein that is overexpressed in 15–20% of breast cancers (HER2-positive breast cancer). HER2-positive breast cancer generally grows and spreads

Breast cancer (BC), as the most widely recognized disease in women worldwide, represents about 30% of all cancers impacting women. This study was aimed to synthesize Cu2O nanoparticles from the cystoseira myrica algae (CM-Cu2O NPs) assess their antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. We evaluated the expression levels of lncRNAs (MALAT1 and GAS5) and apoptosis genes (p53, p27

Cockle shell-derived aragonite calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CACNP) have demonstrated prospect as nano-sized drug carriers for targeting cancer cells. CACNP is biocompatible, biodegradable and its biomaterial is readily available and is of low cost. In addition, CACNP is highly porous, has a large surface area which confer a high loading capacity. The pH-dependent release properties as well as its

The AGuIX® (NH TherAguix) nanoparticle has been developed to enhance radiotherapy treatment and provide strong MR contrast. These two properties have previously been investigated separately and progressed to clinical trial following a clinical workflow of separate MR imaging followed some time later by radiotherapy treatment. The recent development of MRI-linacs (combined Magnetic Resonance Imaging–linear

Successful integration of nanotechnology into the current paradigm of cancer therapy requires proper understanding of the interface between nanoparticles (NPs) and cancer cells, as well as other key components within the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as normal fibroblasts (FBs) and cancer-associated FBs (CAFs). So far, much focus has been on cancer cells, but FBs and CAFs also play a critical

The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed the world we live in. The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the infectious agent that causes the disease, is believed to have first appeared around December 2019, and in the months since then it has wreaked havoc on human communities, health systems, and economies worldwide. At the time of writing, it is estimated that more than 12 million individuals have been

Doxorubicin-loaded hollow gold nanospheres (Dox@HAuNS) are a promising technology for simultaneous trans-arterial tumor-targeted chemotherapy delivery and thermal ablation. We evaluated the efficacy of intra-arterial delivery of Dox@HAuNS followed by photothermal ablation (PTA) in a rabbit model of liver cancer. Adult New Zealand white rabbits (N = 25) were inoculated with VX2 tumors into the left

The aim of this study was to compare contrast enhancement of Magnevist® (gadopentate dimeglumine (Mag)) to that of PEGylated Magnevist®-loaded liposomal nanoparticles (Mag-Lnps) in pancreatic cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Mag-Lnps formulated by thin-film hydration and extrusion was characterized for the particle size and zeta potential. A 21

Nanotechnology is a frequent treatment for cancer. Nanomaterials are the vehicles which deliver drugs in smaller but equally effective quantities. The aim of this investigation is to synthesize gold nanoparticles, functionalize them for the transportation of cisplatin and release them to the cancer-affected area. They have the same cytotoxicity as conventional treatments but with the smallest effective

We previously described the properties of a targeted drug delivery system (DDS) in a cell-free system. Here, in this comparative cell-based study (normal and tumor cells), we provide a quantitative analysis of the extracellular diffusion and intracellular localization of this DDS. This DDS consists of fluorescence-labeled paclitaxel encapsulated in non-ionic surfactant vesicles/niosomes embedded in

The first-line chemotherapy drug that is used to treat pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is gemcitabine. Unfortunately, its effectiveness is hampered by its chemo-resistance, low vascularization and drug biodistribution limitations in the tumor microenvironment. Novel nanotherapeutics must be developed in order to improve the prognosis for patients with pancreatic cancer. We developed a synthetic methodology

Fluorescent silica nanoparticles have been extensively utilised in a broad range of biological applications and are facilitated by their predictable, well-understood, flexible chemistry and apparent biocompatibility. The ability to couple various siloxane precursors with fluorescent dyes and to be subsequently incorporated into silica nanoparticles has made it possible to engineer these fluorophores-doped

In recent years, disease treatment has evolved strategies that require increase in pharmaceutical agent’s efficacy and selectivity while decreasing their toxicity in normal tissues. These requirements have led to the development of nanoscale liposome systems for drug release. This review focuses on lipid features, pharmacological properties of liposomal formulations and the clinical studies of their

A wide range of nanoparticles (NPs), composed of different elements and their compounds, are being developed by several groups as possible radiosensitisers, with some already in clinical trials. However, no systematic experimental survey of the clinical X-ray radiosensitising potential of different element nanoparticles has been made. Here, we directly compare the irradiation-induced (10 Gy of 6-MV

In general, science and technology march in their ways, sometimes starting at different times and developing at different paces. Radiation therapy as an application of ionizing radiation to treat tumors by inactivating cells is a good example of this notion. Brachytherapy, a cancer treatment performed by placing a radioactive source in the direct vicinity of the tumor, was independently suggested by

Heat generated from plasmonic nanoparticles can be utilized in plasmonic photothermal therapy. A combination of near-infrared laser and plasmonic nanoparticles is compelling for the treatment of brain cancer, due to the efficient light-to-heat conversion and bio-compatibility. However, one of the challenges of plasmonic photothermal therapy is to minimize the damage of the surrounding brain tissue

Nanocarriers have the potential to improve the therapeutic index of currently available drugs by increasing drug efficacy, lowering drug toxicity and achieving steady-state therapeutic levels of drugs over an extended period. The association of maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) with rhodium citrate (forming the complex hereafter referred to as MRC) has the potential to increase the specificity of the cytotoxic

Ion-beam cancer therapy, an alternative to a common radiation therapy with X-rays, has been used clinically around the world since 1990s; the number of proton therapy centers as well as facilities using heavier ions such as α-particles and carbon ions continues to grow. A number of different methods were used by various scientific communities in order to quantitatively predict therapeutic effects of

Energetic ions irradiate the human body in different situations such as exposure to galactic cosmic rays and ion beam cancer therapy. Ions propagating through dense medium deposit energy on the nanometre scale, which cause large local doses in their tracks. This makes the mechanisms of the following biodamage different from that induced by photons. A distinctive feature of the scenario of radiation

Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) is a key quantity for the description of radiobiological effects induced by charged-particle irradiation in the context of ion-beam cancer therapy. Since RBE is a complex function that depends on different physical, chemical, and biological parameters, a fundamental understanding of radiobiological effects becomes increasingly important for clinical applications

This article reviews radiation chemistry processes induced by high-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. The first part gives a short historical introduction and defines the essential concepts of radiation chemistry. It is aimed at radiobiologists in search of basics in this discipline, to link to their biological observations. Then, special focus is done on LET effect, oxygen effect and nanoparticles

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer which is widely used as a matrix to incorporate therapeutic agents. The anticancer activity of targeted folate-modified docetaxel-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (F–NP–Doc) was studied in vitro. Nanoparticles were prepared by a single-emulsion solvent-evaporation technique and characterized by physico-chemical methods. Cell

Radiotherapy is commonly used for treating cancer. Novel sensitizers, such as gold nanoparticles (GNPs), are being used to enhance the local radiation dose. It is not known how the uptake and radiation dose enhancement of GNPs vary in synchronized vs unsynchronized (control) tumor cell populations. Successful application of GNPs in radiation therapy requires NPs to be accumulated within individual

Development of biocompatible multifunctional polymeric drug carriers is crucial in modern pharmaceutics aimed to create “smart” drugs. The high potential of the PEGylated comb-like polymeric nanocarrier (PNC) in delivering both traditional and experimental drugs to tumor cells in vitro and in vivo has been demonstrated previously. In the present study, we investigated the general toxicity of polyethylene

Nanoparticles can be used as drug carriers, contrast agents and radiosensitisers for the treatment of cancer. Nanoparticles can either passively accumulate within tumour sites, or be conjugated with targeting ligands to actively enable tumour deposition. With respect to passive accumulation, particles < 150 nm accumulate with higher efficiency within the tumour microenvironment, a consequence of the

A novel treatment planning framework, the Relative Biological Effective Dose (RBED), for high Z nanoparticle (NP)-enhanced photon radiotherapy is developed and tested in silico for the medical exemplar of neoadjuvant (preoperative) breast cancer MV photon radiotherapy. Two different treatment scenarios, conventional and high Z NP enhanced, were explored with a custom Geant4 application that was developed

C60 fullerene-based nanoformulations are proposed to have a direct toxic effect on tumor cells. Previous investigations demonstrated that C60 fullerene used alone or being conjugated with chemotherapeutic agents possesses a potent anticancer activity. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of C60 fullerene and its nanocomplexes with anticancer drugs on human phagocyte metabolic profile

Recently, some studies have focused on dendrimer nanopolymers as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent or a vehicle for gene and drug delivery. Considering the suitable properties of these materials, they are appropriate candidates for coating iron-oxide nanoparticles which are applied in magnetic hyperthermia. To the best of our knowledge, the novelty of this study is the investigation

Hollow gold nanoparticles (HGNPs) exposed to near-infrared (NIR) light yield photothermal effects that can trigger a variety of biological effects for potential biomedical applications. However, the mechanism of laser-triggered drug release has not been studied before. A tripeptide Ac-Glu-Glu-Cys-NH2 (Ac-EEC) was directly linked to the surface of HGNPs. The EEC-HGNPs conjugate was then complexed with

Recent approvals of gene therapies by the FDA and the EMA for treatment of inherited disorders have further opened the door for assessment of nucleic acid pharmaceuticals for clinical usage. Arising from the presence of damaged or inappropriate DNA, cancer is a condition particularly suitable for genetic intervention. The RALA peptide has been shown to be a potent non-viral delivery platform for nucleic

The combined use of radiation therapy and chemotherapy is commonly being used in cancer treatment. The side effects of the treatment can be further minimized through targeted delivery of anticancer drugs and local enhancement of the radiation dose. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) can play a significant role in this regard since GNPs can be used as radiation dose enhancers and anticancer drug carriers. Anticancer

Algae are one of the natural materials used to green synthesis of nanoparticles. This method leads to minimize the toxicity of the chemical materials used to nanoparticle synthesis. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized by Sargassum muticum algae extraction used to evaluate its cytotoxicity and apoptotic properties on human liver cancer cell line (HepG2). Trypan blue assay results