Theranostic Metallic Nanomedicine in Oncology: New Insights and Concerns

Abstract

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality at global level, with recent advancements in research of anticancer drug therapy and diagnosis resulting in modest impacts on cancer therapy. Multifunctional or theranostic metallic nanoparticles gained attention in recent years as promising therapeutic paradigms, which provide attractive vehicles for diagnosis, and therapeutic delivery of diagnostic/active agents to tumor specific cells. Here, we discuss the cancer patho-physiology that acts as barrier in conventional chemotherapy and multidimensional aspects of metallic nanoparticles for effective cancer therapy, with particular focus on clinical stages. Keeping in mind the growing research in clinical application of metallic nanomedicines, toxicity and regulatory concerns related with these nanometric systems are also addressed in this review.

Keywords: Active targeting, cancer therapy, EPR, metallic nanoparticles, passive targeting, regulatory, theranostic nanoparticles, toxicity.

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