Using anticancer drug-encapsulated nanocarriers to actively target tumors is a promising chemotherapy strategy. Nevertheless, premature release of the drugs in tumor microenvironment (TME) or low tumor targeting efficiency of the nanocarriers significantly reduces its therapeutic efficiency. Herein, we propose a release-and-trapping strategy that significantly enhances the chemotherapeutic efficiency of an anticancer drug camptothecin. TME acid triggers the release of its prodrug from the nanocarrier and thereafter phosphatase instructs the prodrug to form hydrogel to trap the nanocarrier on cancer cell membrane. As trapped nanocarrier facilitates cell uptake of the prodrug and its intracellular carboxylesterase-mediated hydrolysis to release camptothecin. In vitro studies showed that the prodrug release from nanocarrier was maximized at pH 6.5. In tumor-bearing mice, our release-and-trapping strategy significantly prolonged the retention of the nanocarrier in tumor and significantly enhanced the anticancer efficacy of camptothecin. We propose that our release-and-trapping strategy be applied for more efficient cancer treatment in the future.

Cancer treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy have several limitations, including ineffectiveness against large or persistent tumors, high relapse rates, drug toxicity, and non-specificity of therapy. Researchers are exploring advanced strategies for treating this life-threatening disease to address these challenges. One promising approach is targeted drug delivery using prodrugs or surface modification with receptor-specific moieties for active or passive targeting. While various drug delivery systems have shown potential for reaching hepatic cells, nano-carriers offer significant size, distribution, and targetability advantages. Engineered nanocarriers can be customized to achieve effective and safe targeting of tumors by manipulating physical characteristics such as particle size or attaching receptor-specific ligands. This method is particularly advantageous in treating liver cancer by targeting specific hepatocyte receptors and enzymatic pathways for both passive and active therapeutic strategies. It highlights the epidemiology of liver cancer and provides an in-depth analysis of the various targeting approaches, including prodrugs, liposomes, magneto-liposomes, micelles, glycol-dendrimers, magnetic nanoparticles, chylomicron-based emulsion, and quantum dots surface modification with receptor-specific moieties. The insights from this review can be immensely significant for preclinical and clinical researchers working towards developing effective treatments for liver cancer. By utilizing these novel strategies, we can overcome the limitations of conventional therapies and offer better outcomes for liver cancer patients.

This study explored the development of a novel colon-specific drug delivery system for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) using cross-linked mastic gum (MG) nanoparticles (NPs). The primary goal is to enhance the treatment efficacy of colon cancer while minimizing systemic side effects. We employed Fourier Transform Infrared Radiation (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for the detailed characterization of the samples. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful cross-linking of MG, whereas SEM images revealed the spherical and uniform morphology of the NPs. Additionally, analysis of drug encapsulation efficiency (83.53%), particle size (240 nm), and drug release kinetics (zero-order), and the drug release percentage (95.20% ) were analyzed. The results demonstrated that MG NPs effectively encapsulated and controlled the release of 5-FU in a colon-targeted manner. This study recommends the proposed drug delivery system because of its potential to improve the outcomes of colon cancer treatment.

Ultrasmall gold nanoclusters (Au NCs) with core sizes below 2 nm exhibit distinctive physicochemical properties and hold remarkable promise in a variety of biomedical applications. Through precise synthesis and surface engineering, Au NCs can be endowed with high quantum yields, excellent stability, and favorable biocompatibility. Recent studies have demonstrated the versatility of Au NCs in imaging modalities-ranging from fluorescence and Raman to photoacoustics-as well as in light-driven therapeutics such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT). This review provides an overview of Au NC design strategies, highlighting ligand-assisted synthesis and supramolecular self-assembly for optimizing optical features and biological performance. Representative biomedical applications in optical imaging, biosensing, and phototherapy are summarized to illustrate the multifaceted benefits of Au NCs in disease diagnosis and treatment. Finally, challenges related to large-scale production, long-term biosafety, and clinical translation are discussed, along with future perspectives on leveraging Au NCs for next-generation theranostic platforms.

Nanotechnology has revolutionized cancer therapy by introducing advanced drug delivery systems that enhance therapeutic efficacy while reducing adverse effects. By leveraging various nanoparticle platforms-including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and inorganic nanoparticles-researchers have improved drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability. Additionally, new nanodevices are being engineered to respond to specific physiological conditions like temperature and pH variations, enabling controlled drug release and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Beyond drug delivery, nanotechnology plays a crucial role in the theranostic field due to the functionalization of specific materials that combine tumor detection and targeted treatment features. This review analyzes the clinical impact of nanotechnology, spanning from early-phase trials to pivotal phase 3 studies that have obtained regulatory approval, while also offering a critical perspective on the preclinical domain and its translational potential for future human applications. Despite significant progress, greater attention must be placed on key challenges, such as biocompatibility barriers and the lack of regulatory standardization, to ensure the successful translation of nanomedicine into routine clinical practice.

In pursuit of the treatment of cancer, nanotechnology engineering has emerged as the simplest and most effective means, with the potential to deliver antitumor chemotherapeutics at the targeted site. Employing nanotechnology for drug delivery provides diverse nanosize particles ranging from one to a thousand nanometers. Reduced size improves drug bioavailability by increasing drug diffusion and decreasing the efflux rate. These nanocarriers offer an enormous scope for modification following the chemical and biological properties of both the drug and its disease. Moreover, these nanoformulations assist in targeting pharmaceutically active drug molecules to the desired site and have gained importance in recent years. Their modern use has revolutionized the antitumor action of many therapeutic agents. Higher drug loading efficiency, thermal stability, easy fabrication, low production cost, and large-scale industrial production draw attention to the application of nanotechnology as a better platform for the delivery of drug molecules. Furthermore, the interaction of nanocarrier technology-assisted agents lowers a drug's toxicity and therapeutic dosage, reduces drug tolerance, and enhances active drug concentration in neoplasm tissue, thus decreasing the concentration in healthy tissue. Nanotechnology-based medications are being widely explored and have depicted effective cancer management in vivo and in vitro systems, leading to many clinical trials with promising results. This review summarizes the innovative impact and application of different nanocarriers developed in recent years in cancer therapy. Subsequently, it also describes the essential findings and methodologies and their effects on cancer treatment. Compared with conventional therapy, nanomedicines can significantly improve the therapeutic effectiveness of antitumor drugs. Thus, the adverse effects associated with healthy tissues are decreased, and adverse effects are scaled back through enhanced permeability and retention effects. Lastly, future insights assisting nanotechnology in active therapeutics delivery and their scope in cancer chemotherapeutics have also been discussed.

The combination of pharmacogenomics and nanotechnology science of pharmacogenomics into a highly advanced single entity has given birth to personalized medicine known as nano-enabled pharmacogenomics. This review article covers all aspects starting from pharmacogenomics to gene editing tools, how these have evolved or are likely to be evolved for pharmacogenomic application, and how these can be delivered using nanoparticle delivery systems. In this prior work, we explore the evolution of pharmacogenomics over the years, as well as new achievements in the field of genomic sciences, the challenges in drug creation, and application of the strategy of personalized medicine. Particular attention is paid to how nanotechnology helps avoid the problems that accompanied the development of pharmacogenomics earlier, for example, the question of drug resistance and targeted delivery. We also review the latest developments in nano-enabled pharmacogenomics, such as the coupling with other nanobio-technologies, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in pharmacogenomics, and the ethical and regulatory aspects of these developing technologies. The possible uses of nanotechnology in improving the chances of pated and treating drug-resistant cancers are exemplified by case studies together with the current clinical uses of nanotechnology. In the last section, we discuss the future trends and research prospects in this dynamically growing area, stressing the importance of further advancements and collaborations which will advance the nano-enabled pharmacogenomics to their maximum potential.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common cancers worldwide. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization has become a common treatment modality for some patients with unresectable advanced HCC. Since the introduction of nanomaterials in 1974, their use in various fields has evolved rapidly. In medical applications, nanomaterials can serve as carriers for the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to tumour tissues. Additionally, nanomaterials have potential for in vivo tumour imaging. This article covers the properties and uses of several kinds of nanomaterials, focusing on their use in transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for HCC treatment. This paper also discusses the limitations currently associated with the use of nanomaterials.

We designed and optimized a dual-functional photothermal agent that performs as a nanoheater and real-time optical thermometer by leveraging gold nanoparticle (AuNP) self-assembly and anti-Stokes thermometry. We engineered colloidally stable fractal AuNP clusters with well-defined nanogaps to absorb strongly in the near-infrared and enhance anti-Stokes vibrational modes via surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for electromagnetic (EM) hotspot-localized thermometry during plasmonic heating. Photothermal characterization and simulations of a range of AuNP building block sizes demonstrated that 40 nm AuNPs are optimum for combined plasmonic heating and SERS due to the high probability of in resonance chains within assemblies. We explored the relationship between the far-field of our AuNP clusters and the near-field enhancement of anti-Stokes modes in the context of SERS thermometry, setting out design considerations for applying SERS thermometry. Finally, using a single near-infrared (NIR) laser source, we demonstrated plasmonic heating of a colloidal system with simultaneous accurate temperature measurement from EM hotspots via the thermal information encoded in the anti-Stokes mode of surface-bound Raman reporter molecules. Ultimately, our approach could enable real-time noninvasive temperature feedback from plasmonic nanoparticles within tumor tissue environments to guide safe and effective temperature increases during cancer photothermal therapy.

Iron oxide nanoparticles have become increasingly significant in the biomedical field due to their exceptional magnetic properties and biocompatibility. However, understanding their in vivo metabolism and transformation is crucial due to the potential biological effects they may induce. This study investigates the metabolic pathways of PEGylated ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles (PUSIONPs) in vivo, particularly under varying iron statuses and dosages. Employing a comprehensive analytical approach─including magnetic resonance imaging, elemental analysis, histological assessments, hematological analysis, and Western blot analysis─the biodistribution and transformation of PUSIONPs were mapped. The findings reveal significant differences in the metabolic fate of PUSIONPs between iron-sufficient and iron-deficient conditions, underscoring the pivotal role of iron homeostasis in regulating PUSIONPs biodegradation. In iron-deficient states, degradation and transformation were markedly accelerated, with the released iron rapidly incorporated into hemoglobin. Additionally, the liver and spleen exhibited different PUSIONPs metabolism rates due to their distinct physiological roles: the spleen, primarily responsible for iron recycling, facilitated faster degradation, while the liver, serving as an iron storage organ, showed slower degradation. Under iron deficiency, most degradation products were directed toward hemoglobin synthesis, whereas under normal conditions, the liver gradually metabolized the degradation products, and the spleen retained higher iron levels. Moreover, PUSIONPs degradation demonstrated dose dependency, with higher doses slowing degradation and reducing the utilization rate by the iron-deficient body. Comprehensive safety evaluations confirmed that PUSIONPs exhibit excellent biocompatibility across all doses, with no significant safety concerns. Compared to the clinically used intravenous iron supplement iron sucrose, PUSIONPs also demonstrated superior bioavailability and more effective iron supplementation. These findings provide critical insights into the interaction between iron oxide nanoparticles and iron metabolism, offering a foundation for future research and the broader application of PUSIONPs in biomedical contexts.

Within the complex system of gastric cancer, the tumour microenvironment mediates a complex network of cellular interactions, yet its tissue-specific intracellular communication patterns have remained poorly understood. Leveraging cutting-edge single-cell RNA sequencing, we investigated two independent research studies (GSE183904 and GSE184198), creating an unprecedented map of cellular crosstalk across gastric cancer tissues, their adjacent normal tissue and gastric mucosa (GM). Our systematic analysis revealed two distinct patterns: 7557 distinct interactions from normal tissue to tumour cells, while gastric mucosa engaged in 7320 unique interactions with malignant conditions. Within this cellular network, the endothelin pathway emerged as a key regulator, specifically increased in gastric mucosa-to-tumour interaction. The Cancer Genome Atlas data demonstrated that patients harbouring elevated EDNRA expression faced significantly poorer outcomes. EDNRA, previously underexplored in this context, showed remarkable upregulation across diverse gastric cancer cell lines. Through experimental validation, we demonstrated that EDNRA overexpression, when stimulated by endothelin-1, dramatically accelerated the proliferation of human gastric epithelial GSE-1 cells. Conversely, pharmacological inhibition of EDNRA using ABT-627 suppressed both NCI-N87 and MKN-28 gastric cancer cells proliferation. Further mechanistic investigation revealed the molecular mechanism of ABT-627: simultaneously triggering both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic cascades. TISIDB analysis revealed significant positive correlations between EDNRA and multiple immunostimulators, suggesting the role of EDNRA in immunomodulation networks. These findings reveal a previously unidentified connection between gastric mucosa and tumour progression, positioning EDNRA not only as a molecular target, but also as a critical mediator of tissue-specific cancer communication. In conclusion, EDNRA functions as both a regulatory factor and therapeutic target, offering a promising therapeutic avenue for gastric cancer intervention.

The rapid development of nanotechnology has significantly advanced the application of nanophotocatalysis in the medical field, particularly for cancer therapy. Traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, often cause severe side effects, including damage to healthy tissues and the development of drug resistance. In contrast, nanophotocatalytic therapy offers a promising approach by utilizing nanomaterials that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under light activation, allowing for precise tumor targeting and minimizing collateral damage to surrounding tissues. This review systematically explores the latest advancements in highly efficient nanophotocatalysts for cancer treatment, focusing on their toxicological profiles, underlying mechanisms for cancer cell eradication, and potential for clinical application. Recent research shows that nanophotocatalysts, such as TiO2, In2O3, and g-C3N4 composites, along with photocatalysts with high conduction band or high valence band positions, generate ROS under light irradiation, which induces oxidative stress and leads to cancer cell apoptosis or necrosis. These ROS cause cellular damage by interacting with key biological molecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, triggering a cascade of biochemical reactions that ultimately result in cancer cell death. Furthermore, strategies such as S-scheme heterojunctions and oxygen vacancies (OVs) have been incorporated to enhance charge separation efficiency and light absorption, resulting in increased ROS generation, which improves photocatalytic performance for cancer cell targeting. Notably, these photocatalysts exhibit low toxicity to healthy cells, making them a safe and effective treatment modality. The review also discusses the challenges associated with photocatalytic cancer therapy, including limitations in light penetration and the need for improved biocompatibility. The findings suggest that nanophotocatalytic technology holds significant potential for precision cancer therapy, paving the way for safer and more effective treatment strategies.

Cancer cells often develop tolerance to chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy drugs either before or during treatment. The significant heterogeneity among various tumors poses a critical challenge in modern cancer research, particularly in overcoming drug resistance. Copper, as an essential trace element in the body, participates in various biological processes of diseases, including cancers. The growth of many types of tumor cells exhibits a heightened dependence on copper. Thus, targeting copper metabolism or inducing cuproptosis may be potential ways to overcome cancer drug resistance. Copper chelators have shown potential in overcoming cancer drug resistance by targeting copper-dependent processes in cancer cells. In contrast, copper ionophores, copper-based nanomaterials, and other small molecules have been used to induce copper-dependent cell death (cuproptosis) in cancer cells, including drug-resistant tumor cells. This review summarizes the regulation of copper metabolism and cuproptosis in cancer cells and the role of copper metabolism and cuproptosis in cancer drug resistance, providing ideas for overcoming cancer resistance in the future.

Gene and RNA-based therapeutics represent a promising frontier in oncology, enabling targeted modulation of tumor-associated genes and proteins. This review explores the latest advances in payload vectorization and delivery systems developed for in vivo cancer treatments. We discuss viral and non-viral organic particles, including lipid based nanoparticles and polymeric structures, for the effective transport of plasmids, siRNA, and self-amplifying RNA therapeutics. Their physicochemical properties, strategies to overcome intracellular barriers, and innovations in cell-based carriers and engineered extracellular vesicles are highlighted. Moreover, we consider oncolytic viruses, novel viral capsid modifications, and approaches that refine tumor targeting and immunomodulation. Ongoing clinical trials and regulatory frameworks guide future directions and emphasize the need for safe, scalable production. The potential convergence of these systems with combination therapies paves the way toward personalized cancer medicine.

Cancer-associated fibroblast cells (CAFs) play a key role in the breast cancer (BC) microenvironment that induces resistance to chemotherapy. Adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) derived exosomes were utilized to deliver the doxorubicin (Dox) to BC cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7) and CAFs in both mono and co-culture systems. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) for VIMENTIN and flow cytometry for the CD45, CD34, CD73, and CD90 markers were used to confirm the phenotypic characteristics of CAFs and MSC cells. Dox was loaded into ADMSCs-derived exosomes (Exo-Dox) through sonication and its loading wasa confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Compared to free Dox, Exo-Dox showed a higher efficiency in inducing apoptosis and inhibiting growth and migration in co-culture cells with CAFs (P < 0.05). The up-regulation of H19 and UCA1 lncRNAs, associated with chemoresistance, was confirmed using real-time PCR in CAF-derived breast cancer patients, CAF-derived exosomes, and exosome-derived patient serums. H19 and UCA1 expression levels were significantly down-regulated in MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and co-cultures of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells with CAFs that received Exo-Dox treatment. In vivo results indicated that ADMSCs-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) can accumulate at the tumor site. Exo-Dox suppressed cancer cell growth and significantly decreased tumor size compared to PBS (p < 0.01). The findings confirmed the growth inhibition effects of Exo-Dox n in CAFs, BC cells, and tumor-bearing mice.

Background: The development of nanostructured materials for cancer therapy has garnered significant interest due to their unique physicochemical properties, including enhanced surface area and tunable electronic structures, which can facilitate targeted drug delivery and oxidative stress modulation. This study investigates the anticancer potential of monoclinic silver dimolybdate nanorods (m-Ag₂Mo₂O₇) against aggressive breast (MDA-MB-231) and prostate (PC-3) cancer cells and explores their in vivo pharmacokinetic behavior. Methods: m-Ag₂Mo₂O₇ nanorods were synthesized via a hydrothermal method and characterized using XRD, SEM, Raman, and FTIR spectroscopy. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assays on MDA-MB-231 and PC-3 cell lines across concentrations ranging from 1.56 to 100 µg/mL. In vivo biodistribution and radiopharmacokinetics were assessed using technetium-99m-labeled nanorods in male Swiss rats, with gamma counting employed for tissue uptake analysis and pharmacokinetic parameter determination. Results: m-Ag₂Mo₂O₇ nanorods exhibited a modest cytotoxic effect on MDA-MB-231 cells, with 50 µg/mL reducing cell viability by 23.5% (p < 0.05), while no significant cytotoxicity was observed in PC-3 cells. In vivo studies revealed predominant accumulation in the stomach, liver, spleen, and bladder, indicating reticuloendothelial system uptake and renal clearance. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed a rapid systemic clearance (half-life ~6.76 h) and a low volume of distribution (0.0786 L), suggesting primary retention in circulation with minimal off-target diffusion. Conclusions: While m-Ag₂Mo₂O₇ nanorods display limited standalone cytotoxicity, their ability to induce oxidative stress and favorable pharmacokinetic profile support their potential as adjuvant agents in cancer therapy, particularly for chemoresistant breast cancers. Further studies are warranted to elucidate their molecular mechanisms, optimize combinatorial treatment strategies, and assess long-term safety in preclinical models.

Colon cancer remains a significant global health challenge; however, the treatment outcome for colon patients can be improved through early detection and effective treatment. Nano-radiopharmaceuticals, combining nanotechnology with radiopharmaceuticals, are emerging as a revolutionary approach in both colon cancer diagnostic imaging and therapy, playing a significant role in the management of colon cancer patients. This review examines the use of nano-radiopharmaceuticals in the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer, highlighting current applications, challenges, and future directions. Nanocarriers of radionuclides have shown potential in improving cancer treatment, including liposomes, microparticles, nanoparticles, micelles, dendrimers, and hydrogels, which are approved by the FDA. These nanocarriers can deliver targeted drugs into malignant cells without affecting normal cells, reducing side effects. Antibody-guided systemic radionuclide-targeted therapy has shown potential for treating cancer. Novel cancer nanomedicines, like Hensify and 32P BioSilicon, are under clinical development for targeted radiation delivery in percutaneous intratumoral injections. Although using nano-radiopharmaceuticals is a superior technique for diagnosing and treating colon cancer, there are limitations and challenges, such as the unintentional accumulation of nanoparticles in healthy tissues, which leads to toxicity due to biodistribution issues, as well as high manufacturing costs that limit their availability for patients. However, the future direction is moving toward providing more precise radiopharmaceuticals, which is crucial for enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer and reducing production costs.

Cell behavior is intricately intertwined with the in vivo microenvironment and endogenous pathways. The ability to guide cellular behavior toward specific goals can be achieved by external stimuli, notably electricity, light, ultrasound, and magnetism, simultaneously harnessed through biomaterial-mediated responses. These external triggers become focal points within the body due to interactions with biomaterials, facilitating a range of cellular pathways: electrical signal transmission, biochemical cues, drug release, cell loading, and modulation of mechanical stress. Stimulus-responsive biomaterials hold immense potential in biomedical research, establishing themselves as a pivotal focal point in interdisciplinary pursuits. This comprehensive review systematically elucidates prevalent physical stimuli and their corresponding biomaterial response mechanisms. Moreover, it delves deeply into the application of biomaterials within the domain of biomedicine. A balanced assessment of distinct physical stimulation techniques is provided, along with a discussion of their merits and limitations. The review aims to shed light on the future trajectory of physical stimulus-responsive biomaterials in disease treatment and outline their application prospects and potential for future development. This review is poised to spark novel concepts for advancing intelligent, stimulus-responsive biomaterials.

Porous functional metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have showcased their potential in biomedical applications, specifically in drug delivery systems (DDSs), due to high surface area, tailorable pore size, tunable functionality, etc. In this work, the efficient nano drug carrier behavior of a Zn-MOF is reported for two highly utilized drugs, 5-fluorouracil and calcein. It exhibits a high drug loading capacity and a slow, sustained release profile as monitored by the spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Utilizing these two drugs, its good anticancer activity against the human breast cancer MCF-7 cell is established.

Cancer immunotherapy holds significant promise for improving cancer treatment efficacy; however, the low response rate remains a considerable challenge. To overcome this limitation, advanced catalytic materials offer potential in augmenting catalytic immunotherapy by modulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) through precise biochemical reactions. Achieving optimal targeting precision and therapeutic efficacy necessitates a thorough understanding of the properties and underlying mechanisms of tumor-targeted catalytic materials. This review provides a comprehensive and systematic overview of recent advancements in tumor-targeted catalytic materials and their critical role in enhancing catalytic immunotherapy. It highlights the types of catalytic reactions, the construction strategies of catalytic materials, and their fundamental mechanisms for tumor targeting, including passive, bioactive, stimuli-responsive, and biomimetic targeting approaches. Furthermore, this review outlines various tumor-specific targeting strategies, encompassing tumor tissue, tumor cell, exogenous stimuli-responsive, TME-responsive, and cellular TME targeting strategies. Finally, the discussion addresses the challenges and future perspectives for transitioning catalytic materials into clinical applications, offering insights that pave the way for next-generation cancer therapies and provide substantial benefits to patients in clinical settings.

Thiol-maleimide (MI) chemistry is a cornerstone of bioconjugation strategies, particularly in the development of drug delivery systems. The cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (cRGD) peptide, recognized for its ability to target the integrin αvβ3, is commonly employed to functionalize maleimide-bearing nanoparticles (NPs) for fabricating cRGD-functionalized nanomedicines. However, the impact of cRGD density on tumor targeting efficiency remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigate how varying MI/cRGD ratios affect the biological fate of cRGD-functionalized nanomedicines. Using a model system of nanomedicines self-assembled from phthalocyanine derivatives and PEG-PLA block copolymers, we demonstrate that an optimized cRGD/MI ratio can markedly alter the protein corona composition, leading to increased albumin adsorption, while MI-free cRGD-functionalized nanomedicines attract immunoglobulins and complement proteins. Our findings reveal that higher cRGD densities, contrary to expectations, do not enhance tumor targeting but instead promote sequestration in the liver and spleen. However, the presence of MI moieties can significantly mitigate this sequestration of cRGD-functionalized nanomedicines by promoting the formation of an albumin-rich protein corona on nanomedicines. These insights highlight the capacity of MI moieties in improving the targeting and therapeutic effects of cRGD-functionalized nanomedicines, providing refined strategies to maximize the efficacy of nanomedicines while minimizing off-target effects.

Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and conventional cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery have limitations. RNA therapy and cancer vaccines hold considerable promise as an alternative to conventional therapies for their ability to enable personalized therapy with improved efficacy and reduced side effects. The principal approach of cancer vaccines is to induce a specific immune response against cancer cells. However, a major challenge in cancer immunotherapy is to predict which patients will respond to treatment and to monitor the efficacy of the vaccine during treatment. Theragnostics, an integration of diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities into a single hybrid platform system, has the potential to address these challenges by enabling real-time monitoring of treatment response while allowing endogenously controlled personalized treatment adjustments. In this article, we review the current state-of-the-art in theragnostics for cancer vaccines and RNA therapy, including imaging agents, biomarkers, and other diagnostic tools relevant to cancer, and their application in cancer therapy development and personalization. We also discuss the opportunities and challenges for further development and clinical translation of theragnostics in cancer vaccines.

Mitochondria play important roles in the maintenance of cellular health. In cancer, these dynamic organelles undergo significant changes in terms of membrane hyperpolarization, altered metabolic functions, fusion-fission balance, and several other parameters. These alterations promote cancer growth, proliferation and spread, and the eventual development of metastatic disease and therapeutic resistance. Thus, routing therapeutics to the mitochondrial compartments can be one of the most promising methodologies for tackling such changes to achieve cancer control. Over the last decade, targeted cancer medicine has experienced tremendous growth, enabling the targeting of mitochondria for greater therapeutic specificity. Here, we demonstrate a feasibility method to specifically target the mitochondria of prostate cancer cells. We achieve such dual targeting by utilizing two functionalized polymers and constructing a single blended nanoparticle (NP). Such a targeting strategy was developed utilizing a polymeric platform that differed in terms of the length of the amphiphilic portions, the linker between the hydrophobic portions, and the attached targeting moieties. In doing this, we demonstrate prostate cancer specific mitochondrial delivery of a chemotherapeutic prodrug to create repair-resistant adducts within mitochondrial DNA promoting cellular death. This article documents the synthetic strategy, optimization of blended NPs for cell specific mitochondria targeting, and the utility of the proof-of-concept design was demonstrated using a combination of analytical and in vitro studies.

Gliomas are aggressive intracranial tumors of the central nervous system with a poor prognosis, high risk of recurrence, and low survival rates. Radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy are traditional cancer therapies. It is very challenging to accurately image and differentiate the malignancy grade of gliomas due to their heterogeneous and infiltrating nature and the obstruction of the blood-brain barrier. Imaging plays a crucial role in gliomas which significantly plays an important role in the accuracy of the diagnosis followed by any subsequent surgery or therapy. Other diagnostic methods (such as biopsies or surgery) are often very invasive. Preoperative imaging and intraoperative image-guided surgery perform the most significant safe resection. In recent years, the rapid growth of nanotechnology has opened up new avenues for glioma diagnosis and treatment. For better therapeutic efficacy, developing microenvironment-responsive nanoplatforms, including novel nanotherapeutic platforms of sonodynamic therapy, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal treatments, are employed for improved patient survival and better clinical control outcome. In this review recent advancement of multifunctional nanoplatforms leading toward treatment of glioma is discussed.

The adsorption of plasma proteins (human serum albumin, immunoglobulin γ-1, apolipoproteins A-I and E-III) onto polystyrene surfaces grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) at different grafting densities is simulated using an all-atom PEG model validated by comparing the conformations of isolated PEG chains with previous simulation and theoretical values. At high PEG density, the grafted PEG chains extend like brushes, while at low density, they significantly adsorb to the surface due to electrostatic attraction between polystyrene amines and PEG oxygens, forming a PEG layer much thinner than its Flory radius. Free energy calculations show that PEGylation can either increase or decrease the binding strength between proteins and surfaces, to an extent dependent on PEG density and specific proteins involved, in agreement with experiments. In particular, grafted PEG chains not only sterically block the binding between proteins and surfaces but also strongly interact with proteins via hydrogen bonds and electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, with apolipoproteins exhibiting stronger hydrophobic interactions with PEG than other proteins, implying that these specific protein-PEG interactions help certain proteins remain on the PEGylated surface. These simulation findings help explain experimental observations regarding the abundance of specific plasma proteins adsorbed onto nanoparticles grafted with PEG at different densities.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from natural sources have garnered significant attention due to their unique properties and eco-friendly production methods. With lung cancer remaining a major global health issue, there is a continuous need for novel and effective therapeutic approaches beyond conventional treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies.

This study aims to synthesize AgNPs using plant extracts from Gymnema sylvestre, Moringa oleifera, and Azadirachta indica and to evaluate their anticancer activity, particularly their effects on gene expression in A549 lung cancer cells.

AgNPs were synthesized using green chemistry techniques and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Gene expression studies were performed to assess the impact of AgNPs on cancer-related genes such as VEGF and CYCLIN-D1. Cytotoxicity assays were conducted on A549 cells to determine the anticancer potential of the synthesized AgNPs compared to plant extracts alone.

XRD confirmed the formation of crystalline AgNPs, while FTIR indicated the presence of bioactive compounds interacting with the nanoparticles. Gene expression analysis revealed significant downregulation of VEGF and CYCLIN-D1, suggesting inhibitory effects on angiogenesis and cell cycle progression. The synthesized AgNPs exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against A549 cells, with enhanced efficacy compared to the leaf extracts alone.

The study highlights the potential of AgNPs synthesized from medicinal plant extracts as promising candidates for lung cancer therapy. Their environmentally sustainable production, combined with their ability to target key cancer pathways, positions them as innovative and affordable therapeutic agents in the field of nanomedicine.

Although photodynamic immunotherapy represents a promising therapeutic approach against malignant tumors, its efficacy is often hampered by the hypoxia and immunosuppressive conditions within the tumor microenvironment (TME) following photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this study, we report the design guidelines towards efficient Type-I semiconducting polymer photosensitizer and modify the best-performing polymer into a hypoxia-tolerant polymeric photosensitizer prodrug (HTPSNiclo) for cancer photo-immunotherapy. HTPSNiclo not only performs Type-I PDT process to partially overcome the limitation of hypoxic tumors in PDT by recycling oxygen but also specifically releases a Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 (STAT3) inhibitor (Niclosamide) in response to a cancer biomarker in the TME. Consequently, HTPSNiclo inhibits the phosphorylation of STAT3, and suppresses the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α. The synergistic effect results in the enhanced activation of immune cells (including mature dendritic cells, cytotoxic T cells) and production of immunostimulatory cytokines compared to Type-I PDT alone. Thus, HTPSNiclo-mediated photodynamic immunotherapy enhances tumor inhibition rate from 75.53% to 91.23%, prolongs the 100% survival from 39 days to 60 days as compared to Type-I PDT alone. This study not only provides the generic approach towards design of polymer-based Type-I photosensitizers but also uncovers effective strategies to counteract the immunosuppressive TME for enhanced photo-immunotherapy in 4T1 tumor bearing female BALB/c mice.

Photocaging is an emerging protocol for precisely manipulating spatial and temporal behaviors over biological activity. However, the red/near-infrared light-triggered photolysis process of current photocage is largely singlet oxygen (1O2)-dependent and lack of compatibility with other reactive oxygen species (ROS)-activated techniques, which has proven to be the major bottleneck in achieving efficient and precise treatment. Herein, we reported a lactosylated photocage BT-LRC by covalently incorporating camptothecin (CPT) into hybrid BODIPY-TPE fluorophore via the superoxide anion radical (O2 -⋅)-cleavable thioketal bond for type I photodynamic therapy (PDT) and anticancer drug release. Amphiphilic BT-LRC could be self-assembled into aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active nanoparticles (BT-LRCs) owing to the regulation of carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions (CCIs) among neighboring lactose units in the nanoaggregates. BT-LRCs could simultaneously generate abundant O2 -⋅ through the aggregation modulated by lactose interactions, and DNA-damaging agent CPT was subsequently and effectively released. Notably, the type I PDT and CPT chemotherapy collaboratively amplified the therapeutic efficacy in HepG2 cells and tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, the inherent AIE property of BT-LRCs endowed the photocaged prodrug with superior bioimaging capability, which provided a powerful tool for real-time tracking and finely tuning the PDT and photoactivated drug release behavior in tumor therapy.

The prevalence of thyroid cancer (TC) is more common in women and is up to 43% in patients aged between 45-65 years. The battle against TC is hampered by the lack of effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The effectiveness of surgical procedures, such as thyroidectomy and nutraceutical treatments, are accompanied by several difficulties and still require further research. Alternatively, the DNA-damaging traditional model of chemotherapy is linked to poor solubility, untoward systemic effects, and associated cytotoxicity, instituting an urgent need to establish a specialized, factual, and reliable delivery tool. In order to overcome the limitations of conventional delivery systems, nanotechnology-based delivery tools have shown the potential of articulating endless inherent implementations. The probable benefits of emerging nanotechnology-based diagnostic techniques include rapid screening and early illness diagnosis, which draws investigators to investigate and assess the possibility of this treatment for TC. Subsequently, organic (e.g., liposomes, polymer-based, and dendrimers) and inorganic (e.g., gold, carbon-based, mesoporous silica, magnetic, and quantum dots) NPs and hybrids thereof (liposome-silica, chitosan-carbon, and cell membrane-coated) have been projected for TC biomarker screening, therapy, and detection, providing better outcomes than traditional diagnostic and treatment techniques. Therefore, this review aims to offer a broad perspective on nanoplatform in TC, accompanied by present and potential future treatment options and screening techniques; including the innovative patents utilized in the realm of thyroid cancer using nanocarriers. The goal of cancer therapy has traditionally been to "search a thorn in a hayloft"; therefore, this article raises the possibility of treating TC using nano-oncotherapeutics, which might be useful clinically and will encourage future researchers to explore this tool's potential and drawbacks.

Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNM) have been widely used in various fields due to their excellent physicochemical properties. In particular, in the area of tumor diagnosis and treatment, researchers have frequently reported them for their potential fluorescence, photoacoustic (PA), and ultrasound imaging performance, as well as their photothermal, photodynamic, sonodynamic, and other therapeutic properties. As the functions of CBNM are increasingly developed, their excellent imaging properties and superior tumor treatment effects make them extremely promising theranostic agents. This review aims to integrate the considered and researched information in a specific field of this research topic and systematically present, summarize, and comment on the efforts made by authoritative scholars. In this review, we summarized the work exploring carbon-based materials in the field of tumor imaging and therapy, focusing on PA imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) and discussing their imaging and therapeutic mechanisms and developments. Finally, the current challenges and potential opportunities of carbon-based materials for PA imaging-guided PTT are presented, and issues that researchers should be aware of when studying CBNM are provided.

Breast cancer (BC) has a prevalence rate of 21.8% among Saudi women and ranks as the third leading cause of death in Western nations. Nanotechnology offers innovative methods for targeted BC therapy, and this study explores the use of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) for delivering the senna leaf extract. The study evaluated the effects of increasing dosages of senna leaf extract conjugated to SWCNTs on MCF-7 cells. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while Giemsa staining revealed morphological changes. Additionally, the comet assay and agarose gel electrophoresis were employed to evaluate the pro-apoptotic potential. The potential of mitochondrial membrane and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were investigated using the JC-1 dye. The results indicated that treated cells exhibited apoptotic characteristics, including elevated ROS levels and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. In summary, the application of nanotechnology to deliver the senna leaf extract shows promise as a herbal treatment for BC, suggesting a potential breakthrough in combating this widespread and deadly disease.

Thanks to an environmentally friendly physical treatment of high purity graphite, a good control of the structure of graphene nanoparticles (GNPs) has been obtained with the production of stable and reproducible GNPs water dispersions. The preparation protocol entailed ball-milling of synthetic graphite followed by sonication in water and centrifugation/separation procedures. This way, two different GNPs samples with slightly different structural characteristics were harvested: TOP60, showing an average lateral size of the graphene layers  = 70 nm and average number of stacked layers  = 4, and BOTTOM60, with  = 120 nm and  = 6. A detailed structural characterization of GNPs was performed as mandatory pre-requisite to build reliable structure/properties correlations, in terms of both biomedical efficacy and toxicity, aiming at a rationale design of tailored materials for applications in biological environments. To this end, in this study GNPs were thoroughly characterized, focusing on cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and inflammatory response, by testing their effect in different cell lines. BOTTOM60 GNPs in culture medium and in the presence of cells showed a tendency to form big aggregates, phenomenon that was probably responsible for their cytotoxicity at high concentrations. On the other hand, TOP60 GNPs showed a diverse behavior depending on the cell type under investigation. Indeed, the nanoparticles were internalized by cells specialized in endo/phagocytosis, such as astrocytoma cells, but not by carcinoma cells of epithelial origin. Moreover, TOP60 GNPs caused a reduction of proliferation only at high concentration and did not trigger an inflammatory response in THP-1-derived macrophages. The evidence here collected paves the way for further investigations towards the development of GNPs-based drug delivery systems.

Nanomedicine, the most promising approach for regulated and targeted drug delivery, is frequently applied in cancer treatment. Essentially, accumulating evidence indicates that nanomedicine has positive results in the treatment of breast cancer (BC), with many BC patients benefiting from nanomedicine-related treatments. Currently, nanodrug delivery systems based on stimulus responses are gaining popularity because of their additional ability to manage drug release depending on the interior environment of the cancer. This review includes a synopsis of several types of internal (pH, redox, enzyme, reactive oxygen species, and hypoxia) stimuli-responsive nanoparticle drug delivery systems as well as perspectives for forthcoming times. Stimulus-responsive nanoparticles can remain stable under physiological conditions while being rapidly activated to release drugs in response to specific stimuli, prolonging blood circulation and increasing cancer cellular uptake, resulting in excellent therapeutic performance and improved biosafety. In this paper, we discuss tumor microenvironment responsive Nanoformulation for breast cancer treatment.

Surgery and chemoradiotherapy are the main clinical treatment methods for colorectal cancer (CRC), but the prognosis is poor. The emergence of nanomedicine brings bright light to the treatment of CRC. However, there has not been a comprehensive and systematic analysis of CRC and nanomedicine by bibliometrics.

We searched the Web of Science Core Collection database (WOSCC) for relevant literature published from 2011 to 2024. We used VOSviewer and Citespace to analyze countries, institutions, authors, keywords, highly cited references, and co-cited references.

3105 pieces of literatures were included in the research analysis, and PEOPLES R CHINA and the USA took the leading position in the number of papers published and had academic influence. The Chinese Academy of Sciences posted the most papers. The most prolific scholar was Abnous Khalil. The level of economic development is inversely proportional to the number of cases and deaths of colorectal cancer. Nanoparticles (NPs), the nanomedical drug delivery system (NDDS) is a hot topic in the field. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), immunogenic cell death (ICD), tumor microenvironment (TEM), folic acid, and pH are the cutting edge of the field.

This paper introduces the research hotspot, emphasis, and frontier of CRC and nanomedicine, and points out the direction for this field.

Innovative cellular medicine (ICM) is an exponentially emerging field with a promising approach to combating complex and ubiquitous life-threatening diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), arthritis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, heart disease, and cancer. Together with the advancement of nanotechnology and bio-mechatronics, ICM revolutionizes cellular therapy in understanding the essence and nature of the disease initiated at a single-cell level. This paper focuses on the intricate nature of cancer that requires multi-disciplinary efforts to characterize it well in order to achieve the objectives of modern world contemporary medicine in the early detection of the disease at a cellular level and potentially arrest its proliferation mechanism. This justifies the multidisciplinary research backgrounds of the authors of this paper in advancing cellular medicine by bridging the gap between experimental biology and the engineering field. Thus, in pursuing this approach, two novel miniaturized and highly versatile biomechatronic platforms with dedicated operating software and microelectronics are designed, modeled, nanofabricated, and tested in numerous in vitro experiments to investigate a hypothesis and arrive at a proven theorem in carcinogenesis by interrelating cellular contractile force, membrane potential, and cellular morphology for early detection and characterization of melanoma cancer cells. The novelties that flourished within this work are manifested in sixfold: (1) developing a mathematical model that utilizes a Heaviside step function, as well as a pin-force model to compute the contractile force of a living cell, (2) deriving an expression of cell-membrane potential based on Laplace and Fourier Transform and their Inverse Transform functions by encountering Warburg diffusion impedance factor, (3) nano-fabricating novel biomechatronic platforms with associated microelectronics and customized software that extract cellular physics and mechanics, (4) developing a label-free biomarker, (5) arrive at a proved theorem in developing a mathematical expression in relating cancer cell mechanobiology to its biophysics in connection to the stage of the disease, and (6) to the first time in literature, and to the best of the authors' knowledge, discriminating different stages and morphology of cancer cell melanoma based on their cell-membrane potentials, and associated contractile forces that could introduce a new venue of cellular therapeutic modalities, preclinical early cancer diagnosis, and a novel approach in immunotherapy drug development. The proposed innovative technology-based versatile bio-mechatronic platforms shall be extended for future studies, investigating the role of electrochemical signaling of the nervous system in cancer formation that will significantly impact modern oncology by pursuing a targeted immunotherapy approach. This work also provides a robust platform for immunotherapy practitioners in extending the study of cellular biophysics in stalling neural-cancer interactions, of which the FDA-approved chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies can be enhanced (genetically engineered) in a lab by improving its receptors to capture cancer antigens. This work amplifies the importance of studying neurotransmitters and electrochemical signaling molecules in shaping the immune T-cell function and its effectiveness in arresting cancer proliferation rate (mechanobiology mechanism).

Optical biosensors are emerging as a promising technique for the sensitive and accurate detection of cancer biomarkers, enabling significant advancements in the field of early diagnosis. This study elaborates on the latest developments in optical biosensors designed for detecting cancer biomarkers, highlighting their vital significance in early cancer diagnosis. When combined with targeted nanoparticles, the bio-fluids can help in the molecular stage diagnosis of cancer. This enhances the discrimination of disease from the normal subjects drastically. The optical sensor methods that are involved in the disease diagnosis and imaging of cancer taken for the present review are surface plasmon resonance, localized surface plasmon resonance, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and colorimetric sensing. The article meticulously describes the specific biomarkers and analytes that optical biosensors target. Beyond elucidating the underlying principles and applications, this article furnishes an overview of recent breakthroughs and emerging trends in the field. This encompasses the evolution of innovative nanomaterials and nanostructures designed to augment sensitivity and the incorporation of microfluidics for facilitating point-of-care testing, thereby charting a course towards prospective advancements.

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are appealing materials as assistant to resolve environmental pollution issues and as recyclable catalysts for the oxidative degradation of resistant contaminants. Moreover, they can significantly influence the advancement of medical applications for imaging, diagnostics, medication administration, and biosensing. On the other hand, due to unique features, excellent biocompatibility, high curie temperatures and low cytotoxicity of the Iron-based nanoparticles, they have received increasing attention in recent years. Using an external magnetic field, in which the ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (FMNPs) in the reaction mixtures can be easily removed, make them more efficient approach than the conventional method for separating the catalyst particles by centrifugation or filtration. Ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (FMNPs) provide various advantages in food processing, environmental issues, pharmaceutical industry, sample preparation, wastewater management, water purification, illness therapy, identification of disease, tissue engineering, and biosensor creation for healthcare monitoring. Modification of FMNPs with the proper functional groups and surface modification techniques play a significant role in boosting their capability. Due to flexibility of FMNPs in functionalization and synthesis, it is possible to make customized FMNPs that can be utilized in variety of applications. This review focuses on synthesis, modifications, and applications of Iron-based nanoparticles.

Neurological disorders such as neurodegenerative diseases and nervous system tumours affect more than one billion people throughout the globe. The physiological sensitivity of the nervous tissue limits the application of invasive therapies and leads to poor treatment and prognosis. One promising solution that has generated attention is Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which can potentially revolutionise the treatment landscape for neurological disorders. PDT attracted substantial recognition for anticancer efficacy and drug conjugation for targeted drug delivery. This review thoroughly explained the basic principles of PDT, scientific interventions and advances in PDT, and their complicated mechanism in treating brain-related pathologies. Furthermore, the merits and demerits of PDT in the context of neurological disorders offer a well-rounded perspective on its feasibility and challenges. In conclusion, this review encapsulates the significant potential of PDT in transforming the treatment landscape for neurological disorders, emphasising its role as a non-invasive, targeted therapeutic approach with multifaceted applications.

The extensive utilization of nanoparticles in cancer therapies has inspired a new field of study called cancer nanomedicine. In contrast to traditional anticancer medications, nanomedicines offer a targeted strategy that eliminates side effects and has high efficacy. With its vast surface area, variable pore size, high pore volume, abundant surface chemistry and specific binding affinity, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MPSNPs) are a potential candidate for cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, there are several bottlenecks associated with nanoparticles, including specific toxicity or affinity towards particular body fluid, which can cater by architecting core-shell nanosystems. The core-shell chemistries, synergistic effects, and interfacial heterojunctions in core-shell nanosystems enhance their stability, catalytic and physicochemical attributes, which possess high performance in cancer therapeutics. This review article summarizes research and development dedicated to engineering mesoporous core-shell nanosystems, especially silica nanoparticles and Fe3O4@Au nanoparticles, owing to their unique physicochemical characteristics. Moreover, it highlights state-of-the-art magnetic and optical attributes of Fe3O4@Au and MPSNP-based cancer therapy strategies. It details the designing of Fe3O4@Au and MPSN to bind with drugs, receptors, ligands, and destroy tumour cells and targeted drug delivery. This review serves as a fundamental comprehensive structure to guide future research towards prospects of core-shell nanosystems based on Fe3O4@Au and MPSNP for cancer theranostics.

Cancer, the most common condition worldwide, ranks second in terms of the number of human deaths, surpassing cardiovascular diseases. Uncontrolled cell multiplication and resistance to cell death are the traditional features of cancer. The myriad of treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy to treat this disease. Conventional chemotherapy drug delivery suffers from issues such as the risk of damage to benign cells, which can cause toxicity, and a few tumor cells withstand apoptosis, thereby increasing the likelihood of developing tolerance. The side effects of cancer chemotherapy are often more pronounced than its benefits. Regarding drugs used in cancer chemotherapy, their bioavailability and stability in the tumor microenvironment are the most important issues that need immediate addressing. Hence, an effective and reliable drug delivery system through which both rapid and precise targeting of treatment can be achieved is urgently needed. In this work, we discuss the development of various nanobased carriers in the advancement of cancer therapy-their properties, the potential of polymers for drug delivery, and recent advances in formulations. Additionally, we discuss the use of tumor metabolism-rewriting nanomedicines in strengthening antitumor immune responses and mRNA-based nanotherapeutics in inhibiting tumor progression. We also examine several issues, such as nanotoxicological studies, including their distribution, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology. Although significant attention is being given to nanotechnology, equal attention is needed in laboratories that produce nanomedicines so that they can record themselves in clinical trials. Furthermore, these medicines in clinical trials display overwhelming results with reduced side effects, as well as their ability to modify the dose of the drug.

Background/Objectives: The development of innovative materials for disease diagnostics and therapeutics is a fast-growing area of scientific research. In this work, we report the development of innovative hydrogels incorporating carbon dots (Cdots) for bioimaging purposes. Methods: The Cdots were prepared using a sustainable and low-cost process, starting with an underused fiber from the Brazilian semiarid region. Spectroscopy analysis (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy), X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize these hydrogels. In addition, biocompatibility using the resazurin assay and cellular uptake by confocal microscopy were evaluated. Results: Our results showed that the Cdots changed the structure and crystallinity of hydrogels, mainly due to heat treatment. In addition, hydrogels' chemical groups suffer red and blue shifts following the Cdots incorporation. Moreover, the Cdots were homogeneously incorporated into the hydrogel matrix. Importantly, the cytotoxicity levels were maintained above 90% (p < 0.01), and cellular uptake studies using HeLa cells demonstrated intracellular fluorescence of both the Cdots and hydrogels after incubation. Additionally, the concentration of Cdots within hydrogels significantly affected fluorescence intensity, even compared with pure Cdots. Conclusions: These results showcase the potential for these hydrogels to be further developed as biomarkers and therapeutic biomaterials for women's health.

Proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) represent a transformative class of therapeutic agents that leverage the intrinsic protein degradation machinery to modulate the hemostasis of key disease-associated proteins selectively. Although several PROTACs have been approved for clinical application, suboptimal therapeutic efficacy and potential adverse side effects remain challenging. Benefiting from the enhanced targeted delivery, reduced systemic toxicity, and improved bioavailability, nanomedicines can be tailored with precision to integrate with PROTACs which hold significant potential to facilitate PROTAC nanomedicines (nano-PROTACs) for clinical translation with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent progress in the convergence of nanotechnology with PROTAC design, leveraging the inherent properties of nanomaterials, such as lipids, polymers, inorganic nanoparticles, nanohydrogels, proteins, and nucleic acids, for precise PROTAC delivery. Additionally, we discuss the various categories of PROTAC targets and provide insights into their clinical translational potential, alongside the challenges that need to be addressed.

Here, we show particle size-dependent therapeutic efficacy with a Zn-based metal-organic framework (MOF). The size of MOFs was tuned in specific ranges (∼100, 200, and 300 nm) built upon the manipulation of synthetic conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared, PXRD, and dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy analyses were used to identify the synthesized structures. The various analyses revealed minimal changes in the molecular properties of these structures regardless of their size, confirming our hypothesis regarding the preservation of the identity of MOF nanoparticles despite size variation. The synthesized carriers undergo structure relative destruction in response to a weak acidic tumor microenvironment, and this relative degradation allows the release of the Nimesulide drug into the environment. Interestingly, anticancer studies resulting in SKBR3 (Human breast cancer cell) cells indicate that the different sizes resulted in various inhibition capacities against cancer cells. This work shows the importance of optimizing the geometry of the drug carrier, such as size and shape, to achieve the highest cellular uptake and therapeutic performance. Besides, theoretical studies were carried out using B3LYP/6-31G (d,p) and density functional theory methods to more consider the drug adsorption mechanism.

Metastatic breast cancer is responsible for 90% of mortalities among women suffering from various types of breast cancers. Traditional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause significant side effects and may not be effective in many cases. However, recent advances in nanomedicine have shown great promise in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. For example, nanomedicine demonstrated robust capacity in detection of metastatic cancers at early stages (i.e., before the metastatic cells leave the initial tumor site), which gives clinicians a timely option to change their treatment process (for example, instead of endocrine therapy they may use chemotherapy). Here recent advances in nanomedicine technology in the identification and treatment of metastatic breast cancers are reviewed.