Nanoparticle-Based Cancer Therapeutics: From Synthesis to Clinical Applications

Nanoparticles are increasingly popular for cancer treatment.They can be modified to researchers' needs, whether that's shape, size, or functionalization, to target a specific cell or travel to a certain area in the body.Synthesis methods vary, and include chemical and biological synthesis.Traditional chemical synthesis methods can produce toxic chemicals, so more eco-friendly techniques have been developed.Biological synthesis is more safe and eco-friendly as it uses microorganisms to make the metallic materials needed to synthesize nanoparticles.Two types of biologically synthesized nanoparticles will be discussed: metallic and polymeric.Although metallic and polymeric nanoparticles are not only synthesized through biological synthesis, this paper will touch specifically upon biological synthesis methods.Nanoparticles are being used to detect and identify cancer cells, predict how a cancer will advance, and to treat cancer.In cancer diagnosis, nanoparticles are used as contrasting agents for imaging and as biomarkers.This paper will also discuss how nanoparticles are being used in treatment techniques, specifically chemotherapeutics, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy.In chemotherapeutics, nanoparticles store the chemotherapeutic drug and release it into targeted cancer cells.Nanoparticles are also used in immunotherapy by increasing the stimulation of innate immune cells.In radiation therapy, nanoparticles can better localize treatment so that healthy cells are less affected.Our knowledge of the abilities and limitations of nanoparticles in cancer therapy has expanded significantly and is expected to continue to grow.In the future, cancer treatment technology may evolve to use hydrogel-embedded nanoparticles, potentially enhancing the controlled delivery of cancer treatments.