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Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications

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A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 27544

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Dr. Sudeshna Chandra

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Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg—Institute for Advanced Study (HWK), Lehmkuhlenbusch 4, 27753 Delmenhorst, Germany
Interests: metal/metal oxide nanomaterials; hybrid metal sulfides nanomaterials; biosensors; energy devices; characterization of nanomaterials; electrochemistry
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Prof. Dr. Heinrich Lang

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MAIN Research Center, Research Group Organometallics, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Rosenbergstr. 6, 09126 Chemnitz, Germany
Interests: organometallics; coordination chemistry; homogeneous catalysis; nanomaterials; electrochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent research developments in nanoscience and nanotechnology have seen plenty of nanomaterials for biomedical and healthcare applications. Several nanomaterials-based products and processes have been developed such as artificial organs and tissue engineered products, biomedical imaging and diagnostic devices, electronic and monitoring devices, therapeutic materials, biochip technology, gene sequencing, enzyme engineering, and so forth. Several types of nanomaterials including magnetic nanomaterials, carbon-based nanomaterials, metal/metal oxides/sulfides, and semiconductors-based nanomaterials are extensively used for drug/gene carriers; cell imaging and tracking; therapeutic modalities such as chemotherapy, hyperthermia, magnetic hyperthermia; contrast enhancers in imaging, etc. Unique physico-chemical properties of the nanomaterials, which are governed by shape, size, and chemical composition of the nanomaterials, are fundamental to these applications. For use in biomedicine, nanomaterials must fulfill certain criteria such as minimum toxicity, must be stable in physiological conditions, and must prevent non-specific interactions. Precise control over synthesis, surface functionalization and stability are key to successful implementation of nanomaterials in biomedicine. It is also important to understand the complex spatiotemporal interplay of nanomaterials with biomolecules at cellular levels and signaling pathways.

With respect to healthcare, development of wearable nanomaterial-based devices has gained tremendous attention in recent years. Particularly, 1D nanomaterials are widely used in bioelectronics for monitoring of electrophysiological signals. The growing need of devices with accurate and advanced functions have propelled the transformation of wearable devices to implantable devices. However, biocompatibility of such materials is also an important aspect as cells/organisms are exposed to both concentration and composition of nanomaterials. Therefore, long term biocompatibility studies are required for safe use of nanomaterial based implanted/wearable bioelectronic devices.

The aim of the Special Issue on “Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications” is to invite the submission of original research, short communications, and review articles focusing on advanced nanomaterials to achieve better biomedical and healthcare application. This Special Issue will provide comprehensive information on advanced technologies and approaches for fabricating novel nanomaterials suited for biomedical and healthcare applications. The topics in the Special Issue can benefit advanced students, researchers, materials chemists, polymer scientists, biomedical engineers, and industry experts in developing smart and intelligent nanomaterials for future biomedical applications and healthcare devices.

We look forward to receiving outstanding contributions from esteemed researchers for this Special Issue of Molecules that focuses on the design, synthesis, characterization, applications, and potential challenges of advanced nanomaterials for implementation in biomedical and healthcare sectors.

Dr. Sudeshna Chandra
Prof. Dr. Heinrich Lang
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

nanomaterials
implants and wearable devices
drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy
biosensors and bioelectronics
biocompatible and toxicity
bio-imaging and diagnostics
healthcare devices
theranostic platforms

Related Special Issue

Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications II in Molecules

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3370 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cannabidiol-Loaded Lipid-Stabilized Nanoparticles Alleviate Psoriasis Severity in Mice: A New Approach for Improved Topical Drug Delivery

by Mark Zamansky, Doron Yariv, Valeria Feinshtein, Shimon Ben-Shabat and Amnon C. Sintov

Molecules 2023, 28(19), 6907; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28196907 - 02 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1327

Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a promising natural agent for treating psoriasis. CBD activity is attributed to inhibition of NF-kB, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A. The present study evaluated the anti-psoriatic effect of cannabidiol in lipid-stabilized nanoparticles (LSNs) using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis model in mice. CBD-loaded LSNs were stabilized with three types of lipids, Cetyl alcohol (CA), Lauric acid (LA), and stearic-lauric acids (SALA), and were examined in-vitro using rat skin and in-vivo using the IMQ-model. LSNs loaded with coumarin-6 showed a localized penetration depth of about 100 µm into rat skin. The LSNs were assessed by the IMQ model accompanied by visual (psoriasis area severity index; PASI), histological, and pro-psoriatic IL-17A evaluations. Groups treated with CBD-loaded LSNs were compared to groups treated with CBD-containing emulsion, unloaded LSNs, and clobetasol propionate, and to an untreated group. CBD-loaded LSNs significantly reduced PASI scoring compared to the CBD emulsion, the unloaded LSNs, and the untreated group (negative controls). In addition, SALA- and CA-containing nanoparticles significantly inhibited IL-17A release, showing a differential response: SALA > CA > LA. The data confirms the effectiveness of CBD in psoriasis therapy and underscores LSNs as a promising platform for delivering CBD to the skin. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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12 pages, 2122 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Computational Investigation of Interactions between Carbon Nitride Dots and Doxorubicin

by Mattia Bartoli, Elena Marras and Alberto Tagliaferro

Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4660; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124660 - 09 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1139

Abstract

The study of carbon dots is one of the frontiers of materials science due to their great structural and chemical complexity. These issues have slowed down the production of solid models that are able to describe the chemical and physical features of carbon dots. Recently, several studies have started to resolve this challenge by producing the first structural-based interpretation of several kinds of carbon dots, such as graphene and polymeric ones. Furthermore, carbon nitride dot models established their structures as being formed by heptazine and oxidized graphene layers. These advancements allowed us to study their interaction with key bioactive molecules, producing the first computational studies on this matter. In this work, we modelled the structures of carbon nitride dots and their interaction with an anticancer molecule (Doxorubicin) using semi-empirical methods, evaluating both geometrical and energetic parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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18 pages, 7084 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Peroxidase-like Activity of CeO₂ Nanozymes: Particle Size and Chemical Environment Matter

by Arina D. Filippova, Madina M. Sozarukova, Alexander E. Baranchikov, Sergey Yu. Kottsov, Kirill A. Cherednichenko and Vladimir K. Ivanov

Molecules 2023, 28(9), 3811; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28093811 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2170

Abstract

The enzyme-like activity of metal oxide nanoparticles is governed by a number of factors, including their size, shape, surface chemistry and substrate affinity. For CeO₂ nanoparticles, one of the most prominent inorganic nanozymes that have diverse enzymatic activities, the size effect remains poorly understood. The low-temperature hydrothermal treatment of ceric ammonium nitrate aqueous solutions made it possible to obtain CeO₂ aqueous sols with different particle sizes (2.5, 2.8, 3.9 and 5.1 nm). The peroxidase-like activity of ceria nanoparticles was assessed using the chemiluminescent method in different biologically relevant buffer solutions with an identical pH value (phosphate buffer and Tris-HCl buffer, pH of 7.4). In the phosphate buffer, doubling CeO₂ nanoparticles’ size resulted in a two-fold increase in their peroxidase-like activity. The opposite effect was observed for the enzymatic activity of CeO₂ nanoparticles in the phosphate-free Tris-HCl buffer. The possible reasons for the differences in CeO₂ enzyme-like activity are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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15 pages, 3163 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Poly-α, β-d, l-Aspartyl-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Based Urokinase Nanoparticles for Thrombolysis Therapy

by Shuangling Chen, Meng Liang, Chengli Wu, Xiaoyi Zhang, Yuji Wang and Ming Zhao

Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2578; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062578 - 12 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1220

Abstract

The most concerning adverse effects of thrombolytic agents are major bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage due to their short half-life, low fibrin specificity, and high dosage. To alleviate bleeding side effects during thrombolytic therapy which would bring about the risk of aggravation, we try to find a novel biodegradable delivery nanosystem to carry drugs to target the thrombus, reduce the dosage of the drug, and system side effects. A novel urokinase/poly-α, β-d, l-aspartyl-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser complex (UK/PD-RGDS) was synthesized and simply prepared. Its thrombolytic potency was assayed by the bubble-rising method and in vitro thrombolytic activity by the thrombus clot lysis assay separately. The in vivo thrombolytic activity and bleeding complication were evaluated by a rat model of carotid arteriovenous bypass thrombolysis. The thrombolytic potency (1288.19 ± 155.20 U/mg) of the UK/PD-RGDS complex nano-globule (18–130 nm) was 1.3 times that of commercial UK (966.77 ± 148.08 U/mg). In vivo, the UK/PD-RGDS complex (2000 IU/kg) could reduce the dose of UK by 90% while achieving the equivalent thrombolysis effect as the free UK (20,000 IU/kg). Additionally, the UK/PD-RGDS complex decreased the tail bleeding time compared with UK. The organ distribution of the FITC-UK/PD-RGDS complex was explored in the rat model. The UK/PD-RGDS complex could provide a promising platform to enhance thrombolytic efficacy significantly and reduce the major bleeding degree. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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52 pages, 7428 KiB

Open AccessReview

Not Only Graphene Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials: Recent Trends in Electrochemical (Bio)sensing Area for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications

by Paola Di Matteo, Rita Petrucci and Antonella Curulli

Molecules 2024, 29(1), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29010172 - 27 Dec 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1111

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials (e.g., graphene) have attracted growing attention in the (bio)sensing area and, in particular, for biomedical applications because of their unique mechanical and physicochemical properties, such as their high thermal and electrical conductivity, biocompatibility, and large surface area. Graphene (G) and its derivatives represent the most common 2D nanomaterials applied to electrochemical (bio)sensors for healthcare applications. This review will pay particular attention to other 2D nanomaterials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and MXenes, applied to the electrochemical biomedical (bio)sensing area, considering the literature of the last five years (2018–2022). An overview of 2D nanostructures focusing on the synthetic approach, the integration with electrodic materials, including other nanomaterials, and with different biorecognition elements such as antibodies, nucleic acids, enzymes, and aptamers, will be provided. Next, significant examples of applications in the clinical field will be reported and discussed together with the role of nanomaterials, the type of (bio)sensor, and the adopted electrochemical technique. Finally, challenges related to future developments of these nanomaterials to design portable sensing systems will be shortly discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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17 pages, 4681 KiB

Open AccessReview

Application and Research Status of Long-Wavelength Fluorescent Carbon Dots

by Yujia Cheng and Guang Yu

Molecules 2023, 28(22), 7473; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28227473 - 08 Nov 2023

Viewed by 941

Abstract

This article discusses the application and research status of long-wavelength fluorescent carbon dots. Currently, there are two main methods for synthesising carbon dots (CDs), either from top to bottom, according to the bulk material, or from bottom to top, according to the small molecules. In previous research, mainly graphite and carbon fibres were used as raw materials with which to prepare CDs, using methods such as arc discharge, laser corrosion, and electrochemistry. These preparation methods have low quantum efficiencies and afford CDs that are limited to blue short-wavelength light emissions. With advancing research, the raw materials used for CD preparation have expanded from graphite to biomaterials, such as strawberry, lime juice, and silkworm chrysalis, and carbon-based molecules, such as citric acid, urea, and ethylenediamine (EDA). The preparation of CDs using carbon-based materials is more rapid and convenient because it involves the use of microwaves, ultrasonication, and hydrothermal techniques. Research on developing methods through which to prepare CDs has made great progress. The current research in this regard is focused on the synthesis of CDs, including long-wavelength fluorescent CDs, with a broader range of applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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26 pages, 2941 KiB

Open AccessReview

A New Perspective for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: Exosome-like Liposomes to Deliver Natural Compounds and RNA Therapies

by Joana Ribeiro, Ivo Lopes and Andreia Castro Gomes

Molecules 2023, 28(16), 6015; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28166015 - 11 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1985

Abstract

With the increment of the aging population in recent years, neurodegenerative diseases exert a major global disease burden, essentially as a result of the lack of treatments that stop the disease progression. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is an example of a neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of people globally, with no effective treatment. Natural compounds have emerged as a viable therapy to fill a huge gap in AD management, and in recent years, mostly fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, RNA-based therapeutics have become a hot topic in the treatment of several diseases. Treatments of AD face significant limitations due to the complex and interconnected pathways that lead to their hallmarks and also due to the necessity to cross the blood–brain barrier. Nanotechnology has contributed to surpassing this bottleneck in the treatment of AD by promoting safe and enhanced drug delivery to the brain. In particular, exosome-like nanoparticles, a hybrid delivery system combining exosomes and liposomes’ advantageous features, are demonstrating great potential in the treatment of central nervous system diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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24 pages, 2964 KiB

Open AccessReview

Hybrid Nanoplatforms Comprising Organic Nanocompartments Encapsulating Inorganic Nanoparticles for Enhanced Drug Delivery and Bioimaging Applications

by Fatih Yanar, Dario Carugo and Xunli Zhang

Molecules 2023, 28(15), 5694; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28155694 - 27 Jul 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1847

Abstract

Organic and inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted significant attention due to their unique physico-chemical properties, which have paved the way for their application in numerous fields including diagnostics and therapy. Recently, hybrid nanomaterials consisting of organic nanocompartments (e.g., liposomes, micelles, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) NPs, dendrimers, or chitosan NPs) encapsulating inorganic NPs (quantum dots, or NPs made of gold, silver, silica, or magnetic materials) have been researched for usage in vivo as drug-delivery or theranostic agents. These classes of hybrid multi-particulate systems can enable or facilitate the use of inorganic NPs in biomedical applications. Notably, integration of inorganic NPs within organic nanocompartments results in improved NP stability, enhanced bioavailability, and reduced systemic toxicity. Moreover, these hybrid nanomaterials allow synergistic interactions between organic and inorganic NPs, leading to further improvements in therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, these platforms can also serve as multifunctional agents capable of advanced bioimaging and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, with great potential for clinical applications. By considering these advancements in the field of nanomedicine, this review aims to provide an overview of recent developments in the use of hybrid nanoparticulate systems that consist of organic nanocompartments encapsulating inorganic NPs for applications in drug delivery, bioimaging, and theranostics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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26 pages, 3909 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Power of Field-Flow Fractionation in Characterization of Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery

by Juan Bian, Nemal Gobalasingham, Anatolii Purchel and Jessica Lin

Molecules 2023, 28(10), 4169; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28104169 - 18 May 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3320

Abstract

Asymmetric-flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) is a gentle, flexible, and powerful separation technique that is widely utilized for fractionating nanometer-sized analytes, which extend to many emerging nanocarriers for drug delivery, including lipid-, virus-, and polymer-based nanoparticles. To ascertain quality attributes and suitability of these nanostructures as drug delivery systems, including particle size distributions, shape, morphology, composition, and stability, it is imperative that comprehensive analytical tools be used to characterize the native properties of these nanoparticles. The capacity for AF4 to be readily coupled to multiple online detectors (MD-AF4) or non-destructively fractionated and analyzed offline make this technique broadly compatible with a multitude of characterization strategies, which can provide insight on size, mass, shape, dispersity, and many other critical quality attributes. This review will critically investigate MD-AF4 reports for characterizing nanoparticles in drug delivery, especially those reported in the last 10–15 years that characterize multiple attributes simultaneously downstream from fractionation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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31 pages, 9281 KiB

Open AccessReview

Design, Synthesis, and Biomedical Application of Multifunctional Fluorescent Polymer Nanomaterials

by Qingpan Bu, Ping Li, Yunfei Xia, Die Hu, Wenjing Li, Dongfang Shi and Kai Song

Molecules 2023, 28(9), 3819; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28093819 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1746

Abstract

Luminescent polymer nanomaterials not only have the characteristics of various types of luminescent functional materials and a wide range of applications, but also have the characteristics of good biocompatibility and easy functionalization of polymer nanomaterials. They are widely used in biomedical fields such as bioimaging, biosensing, and drug delivery. Designing and constructing new controllable synthesis methods for multifunctional fluorescent polymer nanomaterials with good water solubility and excellent biocompatibility is of great significance. Exploring efficient functionalization methods for luminescent materials is still one of the core issues in the design and development of new fluorescent materials. With this in mind, this review first introduces the structures, properties, and synthetic methods regarding fluorescent polymeric nanomaterials. Then, the functionalization strategies of fluorescent polymer nanomaterials are summarized. In addition, the research progress of multifunctional fluorescent polymer nanomaterials for bioimaging is also discussed. Finally, the synthesis, development, and application fields of fluorescent polymeric nanomaterials, as well as the challenges and opportunities of structure–property correlations, are comprehensively summarized and the corresponding perspectives are well illustrated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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20 pages, 1220 KiB

Open AccessReview

Nucleic Acid Probes in Bio-Imaging and Diagnostics: Recent Advances in ODN-Based Fluorescent and Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Nanoparticle and Nanostructured Systems

by Monica-Cornelia Sardaru, Narcisa-Laura Marangoci, Rosanna Palumbo, Giovanni N. Roviello and Alexandru Rotaru

Molecules 2023, 28(8), 3561; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28083561 - 18 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1405

Abstract

Raman nanoparticle probes are a potent class of optical labels for the interrogation of pathological and physiological processes in cells, bioassays, and tissues. Herein, we review the recent advancements in fluorescent and Raman imaging using oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN)-based nanoparticles and nanostructures, which show promise as effective tools for live-cell analysis. These nanodevices can be used to investigate a vast number of biological processes occurring at various levels, starting from those involving organelles, cells, tissues, and whole living organisms. ODN-based fluorescent and Raman probes have contributed to the achievement of significant advancements in the comprehension of the role played by specific analytes in pathological processes and have inaugurated new possibilities for diagnosing health conditions. The technological implications that have emerged from the studies herein described could open new avenues for innovative diagnostics aimed at identifying socially relevant diseases like cancer through the utilization of intracellular markers and/or guide surgical procedures based on fluorescent or Raman imaging. Particularly complex probe structures have been developed within the past five years, creating a versatile toolbox for live-cell analysis, with each tool possessing its own strengths and limitations for specific studies. Analyzing the literature reports in the field, we predict that the development of ODN-based fluorescent and Raman probes will continue in the near future, disclosing novel ideas on their application in therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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21 pages, 3493 KiB

Open AccessReview

Metal Sulfide Nanoparticles for Imaging and Phototherapeutic Applications

by Aishwarya Shetty, Heinrich Lang and Sudeshna Chandra

Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2553; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062553 - 10 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1676

Abstract

The intriguing properties of metal sulfide nanoparticles (=MxSy-NPs), particularly transition metal dichalcogenides, are discussed for their use in diverse biological applications. Herein, recent advances in MxSy-NPs-based imaging (MRI, CT, optical and photoacoustic) and phototherapy (photothermal and photodynamic) are presented. Also, recent made progress in the use of immuno-phototherapy combinatorial approaches in vitro and in vivo are reported. Furthermore, challenges in nanomaterials-based therapies and future research directions by applying MxSy-NPs in combinatorial therapies are envisaged. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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22 pages, 3156 KiB

Open AccessReview

Gold Nanoparticles as a Biosensor for Cancer Biomarker Determination

by Chien-Hsiu Li, Ming-Hsien Chan, Yu-Chan Chang and Michael Hsiao

Molecules 2023, 28(1), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28010364 - 02 Jan 2023

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3512

Abstract

Molecular biology applications based on gold nanotechnology have revolutionary impacts, especially in diagnosing and treating molecular and cellular levels. The combination of plasmonic resonance, biochemistry, and optoelectronic engineering has increased the detection of molecules and the possibility of atoms. These advantages have brought medical research to the cellular level for application potential. Many research groups are working towards this. The superior analytical properties of gold nanoparticles can not only be used as an effective drug screening instrument for gene sequencing in new drug development but also as an essential tool for detecting physiological functions, such as blood glucose, antigen-antibody analysis, etc. The review introduces the principles of biomedical sensing systems, the principles of nanomaterial analysis applied to biomedicine at home and abroad, and the chemical surface modification of various gold nanoparticles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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20 pages, 2141 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in Copper-Based Organic Complexes and Nanoparticles for Tumor Theranostics

by Sergey Tsymbal, Ge Li, Nikol Agadzhanian, Yuhao Sun, Jiazhennan Zhang, Marina Dukhinova, Viacheslav Fedorov and Maxim Shevtsov

Molecules 2022, 27(20), 7066; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27207066 - 19 Oct 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2341

Abstract

Treatment of drug-resistant forms of cancer requires consideration of their hallmark features, such as abnormal cell death mechanisms or mutations in drug-responding molecular pathways. Malignant cells differ from their normal counterparts in numerous aspects, including copper metabolism. Intracellular copper levels are elevated in various cancer types, and this phenomenon could be employed for the development of novel oncotherapeutic approaches. Copper maintains the cell oxidation levels, regulates the protein activity and metabolism, and is involved in inflammation. Various copper-based compounds, such as nanoparticles or metal-based organic complexes, show specific activity against cancer cells according to preclinical studies. Herein, we summarize the major principles of copper metabolism in cancer cells and its potential in cancer theranostics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends of Functional Nanomaterials for Biomedical and Healthcare Applications)

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