Prospects of nanotechnology and natural products for cancer and immunotherapy

• Jan Filipe Andrade Santos,
• Marcela Bernardes Brasileiro,
• Pamela Danielle Cavalcante Barreto,
• Ligiane Aranha Rocha and
• José Adão Carvalho Nascimento Júnior

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1644–1667, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.116

• targeted delivery [72]. Patent CN222367609 (2017) describes targeted amphiphilic nanoparticles composed lecithin, procyanidine, and doxorubicin condensated with epigallocatechin gallate in N-hydroxysuccinimide solution, which were developed to inhibit breast cancer. The procyanidine and epigallocatechin

• inhibition of cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis [122][123]. The patent characterizes the NPs through DLS and TEM, confirming a uniform size distribution. Additionally, in vitro studies using MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated inhibition of cell proliferation, with the NP inducing apoptosis

• cytotoxicity. The nanoparticles showed inhibition of the proliferation of breast cancer cells, with lower cytotoxicity to normal liver cells compared to standard drug and free drug. This is due to the nanoparticles’ enhanced permeability and retention, which improves tumor-specific targeting. Mitochondrial

Ferroptosis induction by engineered liposomes for enhanced tumor therapy

• Alireza Ghasempour,
• Mohammad Amin Tokallou,
• Mohammad Reza Naderi Allaf,
• Mohsen Moradi,
• Hamideh Dehghan,
• Mahsa Sedighi,
• Mohammad-Ali Shahbazi and
• Fahimeh Lavi Arab

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1325–1349, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.97

• non-neuroendocrine SCLC cells and their elevated levels of PUFA-ePLs [86]. Additionally, triple-negative breast cancer cells were observed to be sensitive to ferroptosis. This sensitivity has been attributed to various metabolic characteristics of these cells, such as their high levels of

• before, specific cancer types are susceptible to ferroptosis, and leveraging this susceptibility to trigger ferroptosis offers new possibilities for cancer therapy. Importantly, in various cancers, particularly lung and breast cancer, cancer cells exhibit increased susceptibility to ferroptosis compared

Better together: biomimetic nanomedicines for high performance tumor therapy

• Imran Shair Mohammad,
• Gizem Kursunluoglu,
• Anup Kumar Patel,
• Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq,
• Cansu Umran Tunc,
• Dilek Kanarya,
• Mubashar Rehman,
• Omer Aydin and
• Yin Lifang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1246–1276, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.92

• metastatic breast cancer (Figure 7) [128]. The nanosystem was modified with TAT (T) and RGD (R) peptides for targeted delivery of the chemotherapeutics gamabufotalin (C) and doxorubicin (DOX) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), resulting in potent inhibition of tumor growth and breast cancer metastasis

• holliday junction molecules, was demonstrated [155]. DNA tiles mimicking the holliday junction molecule structure were conjugated with gold nanoparticles and successfully used for the delivery of a neutral antisense oligonucleotide, morpholino, for silencing HER2 and ERα genes in breast cancer. Within gene

Hydrogels and nanogels: effectiveness in dermal applications

• Jéssica da Cruz Ludwig,
• Diana Fortkamp Grigoletto,
• Daniele Fernanda Renzi,
• Wolf-Rainer Abraham,
• Daniel de Paula and
• Najeh Maissar Khalil

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 1216–1233, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.90

• recent years, such as tissue regeneration or tumor models in vivo. For example, 3D-printed scaffolds have been employed and shown to be effective in bone regeneration [226] and in promoting the restoration of craniofacial cartilage defects [227]. Also, in in vivo breast cancer models, doxorubicin-loaded

Serum heat inactivation diminishes ApoE-mediated uptake of D-Lin-MC3-DMA lipid nanoparticles

• Demian van Straten,
• Luuk van de Schepop,
• Rowan Frunt,
• Pieter Vader and
• Raymond M. Schiffelers

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 740–748, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.57

• Integrated DNA Technologies and were annealed in-house for 5 min at 97 °C. siRNA sequence: Sense: ‘5-GGA CGA GGU GCC UAA AGG AdCdG-3’ Antisense: ‘5-UCC UUU AGG CAC CUC GUC CdCdG-3’. FCS was obtained from Gibco, Biowest and Lonza. Cell culture Brain cancer cell line U87-MG (ATCC) and breast cancer cell line

Synthetic-polymer-assisted antisense oligonucleotide delivery: targeted approaches for precision disease treatment

• Ana Cubillo Alvarez,
• Dylan Maguire and
• Ruairí P. Brannigan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 435–463, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.34

Radiosensitizing properties of dual-functionalized carbon nanostructures loaded with temozolomide

• Radmila Milenkovska,
• Nikola Geskovski,
• Dushko Shalabalija,
• Ljubica Mihailova,
• Petre Makreski,
• Dushko Lukarski,
• Igor Stojkovski,
• Maja Simonoska Crcarevska and
• Kristina Mladenovska

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 229–251, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.18

• observed when FA was applied to breast cancer cells through induced oxidative stress as the driver of cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest in the S and/or G1/G0 phases, and significantly increased apoptosis [94][95]. The mechanisms behind the cancer protection and potential carcinogenic effect of FA are in

Nanocarriers and macrophage interaction: from a potential hurdle to an alternative therapeutic strategy

• Naths Grazia Sukubo,
• Paolo Bigini and
• Annalisa Morelli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 97–118, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.10

• STAT6 inhibitor AS1517499, zoledronic acid, or muramyl tripeptide (MTP), these liposomes inhibited M2 polarization. In preclinical breast cancer models, PAPC nanoliposomes reduced tumor growth, inhibited the M2 phenotype, and prevented pre-metastatic niche formation, achieving up to a 70% reduction in

Mechanistic insights into endosomal escape by sodium oleate-modified liposomes

• Ebrahim Sadaqa,
• Satrialdi,
• Fransiska Kurniawan and
• Diky Mudhakir

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1667–1685, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.131

• .15.131 Abstract Endosomal entrapment significantly limits the efficacy of drug delivery systems. This study investigates sodium oleate-modified liposomes (SO-Lipo) as an innovative strategy to enhance endosomal escape and improve cytosolic delivery in 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer cells. We aimed to

• triple-negative breast cancer cell line as our in vitro model, with MD simulations to explore the intricate interactions between SO and the endosomal membrane. This allows us to elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which SO promotes endosomal escape. Additionally, we directly compare the endosomal

• significantly enhance cytosolic delivery in 4T1 triple-negative breast cancer cells, as evidenced by a marked reduction in colocalization with lysosomal markers. The enhanced endosomal escape capability of SO-Lipo is primarily driven by its fusogenic interactions with the endosomal membrane, effectively

Polymer lipid hybrid nanoparticles for phytochemical delivery: challenges, progress, and future prospects

• Iqra Rahat,
• Pooja Yadav,
• Aditi Singhal,
• Mohammad Fareed,
• Jaganathan Raja Purushothaman,
• Mohammed Aslam,
• Raju Balaji,
• Sonali Patil-Shinde and
• Md. Rizwanullah

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1473–1497, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.118

• and synergistic therapeutic efficacy against breast cancer (BC) [63]. The scheme for the development of these ligand-decorated PLHNPs is depicted in Figure 3. The findings suggested that the targeted PLHNPs significantly improved uptake in BC cells by receptor-mediated endocytosis when compared with

• classification, IQN belongs to class II. It shows limited solubility in the GI fluids and very low bioavailability after oral administration [119]. Wang et al. fabricated IQN-encapsulated zein phosphatidylcholine hybrid nanoparticles (IQN-PLHNPs) for improved oral efficacy against triple-negative breast cancer

Realizing active targeting in cancer nanomedicine with ultrasmall nanoparticles

• André F. Lima,
• Giselle Z. Justo and
• Alioscka A. Sousa

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1208–1226, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.98

• 4T1 xenograft breast cancer model. Their findings revealed that actively targeted 3 nm NPs produced a sixfold higher level of tumor retention compared to non-targeted counterparts. In contrast, the corresponding improvement in tumor retention was only 1.15-fold in the case of the larger NPs. This

• : one part (Tyr and Cys residues) was responsible for reducing Au3+ into AuNCs, while the other part (RGD sequence) targeted αvβ3 integrin receptors. In murine models, the AuNCs were non-toxic and underwent renal clearance. Upon intravenous administration to 4T1 breast cancer tumor-bearing mice, the

• with AuNC-DOX-cRGD-AS1411. 5.6 Chemokine receptor ligands/chemokine receptors Recently, Zhao et al. reported the development of a chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2)-targeted and renal clearable radiolabeled gold nanocluster, 64Cu-AuNCs-ECL1i, for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) PET imaging [135] (Figure

Synthesis, characterization and anticancer effect of doxorubicin-loaded dual stimuli-responsive smart nanopolymers

• Ömür Acet,
• Pavel Kirsanov,
• Burcu Önal Acet,
• Inessa Halets-Bui,
• Dzmitry Shcharbin,
• Şeyda Ceylan Cömert and
• Mehmet Odabaşı

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1189–1196, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.96

• ” and “Doxil”. The non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin Myocet liposomal was approved in the European Union and in Canada for the therapy of metastatic breast cancer in combination with cyclophosphamide [5][6]. The FDA approved Doxil [4]. It was found that liposome-encapsulated DOX is less cardiotoxic

AI-assisted models to predict chemotherapy drugs modified with C₆₀ fullerene derivatives

• Jonathan-Siu-Loong Robles-Hernández,
• Dora Iliana Medina,
• Katerin Aguirre-Hurtado,
• Marlene Bosquez,
• Roberto Salcedo and
• Alan Miralrio

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1170–1188, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.95

• relationship (QSAR)/ quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) models, this study explores the application of fullerene derivatives as nanocarriers for breast cancer chemotherapy drugs. Isolated drugs and two drug–fullerene complexes (i.e., drug–pristine C60 fullerene and drug–carboxyfullerene C60

• to compare results obtained by DFTB3 with a conventional density functional theory approach. These findings promise to enhance breast cancer chemotherapy by leveraging fullerene-based drug nanocarriers. Keywords: breast cancer; CXCR7; drug nanocarriers; QSAR; Introduction Breast cancer is the most

• diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women [1][2]. Heritage is the most critical risk factor, and 15 to 20% of breast cancer is familiar [3]. One of the characteristics of breast cancer is that it can be wholly cured given an early diagnosis [4]. The

Unveiling the potential of alginate-based nanomaterials in sensing technology and smart delivery applications

• Shakhzodjon Uzokboev,
• Khojimukhammad Akhmadbekov,
• Ra’no Nuritdinova,
• Salah M. Tawfik and
• Yong-Ill Lee

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1077–1104, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.88

Entry of nanoparticles into cells and tissues: status and challenges

• Kirsten Sandvig,
• Tore Geir Iversen and
• Tore Skotland

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1017–1029, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.83

• therapeutic effect on a human breast cancer xenograft in mice, and discussed if an increased ratio of M1/M2 (anti-tumorigenic/pro-tumorigenic) macrophages was important for the therapeutic effect [93]. We have recently investigated in more detail the changes occurring in tumor-associated myeloid cells in

• another breast cancer xenograft model and found a strong reduction in immunosuppressive function of macrophages [94]. An influence of NPs on macrophage recruitment, differentiation, and polarization has also been reported by others [95][96]. Thus, a combined effect on the tumor cells and the tumor

Therapeutic effect of F127-folate@PLGA/CHL/IR780 nanoparticles on folate receptor-expressing cancer cells

• Thi Ngoc Han Pham,
• Phuong-Thao Dang-Luong,
• Hong-Phuc Nguyen,
• Loc Le-Tuan,
• Xuan Thang Cao,
• Thanh-Danh Nguyen,
• Vy Tran Anh and
• Hieu Vu_Quang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 954–964, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.78

• and non-lymphoma Hodgkin’s [16][17], advanced ovarian and breast cancer [17][18], and some autoimmune illnesses [19]. Like other alkylating drugs, CHL inhibits tumor growth by cross-linking guanine or adenine bases in DNA double helix strands, preventing them from uncoiling and separating, and

• enter cells that express folate receptors, such as breast cancer cell MCF-7 and liver cancer cell HepG2. Cells that express folate negatively, like HEK 293, showed the same level of Cou-6 fluorescence. The F127-folate@PLGA/CHL/IR780 nanoparticles are more toxic to cancer cells than the F127@PLGA/CHL

Vinorelbine-loaded multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles as anticancer drug delivery systems: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro release study

• Zeynep Özcan and
• Afife Binnaz Hazar Yoruç

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 256–269, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.24

• . Vinorelbine (VNB), a chemotherapeutic agent, has seen significant clinical use in the treatment of lung cancer and advanced breast cancer [30]. VNB affects the continuous mitotic division in cancer cells, thereby impeding uncontrolled growth. By binding to microtubules, VNB exerts an inhibitory effect on

Nanocarrier systems loaded with IR780, iron oxide nanoparticles and chlorambucil for cancer theragnostics

• Phuong-Thao Dang-Luong,
• Hong-Phuc Nguyen,
• Loc Le-Tuan,
• Xuan-Thang Cao,
• Vy Tran-Anh and
• Hieu Vu Quang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 180–189, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.17

• and IR783 are also promising diagnostic choices. Encapsulation of IR780 in nanoparticles can be used for imaging and photothermal, photodynamic, and combinatorial cancer therapies [20][21][22]. IR780 is also utilized in PEG-PLA nanoparticles for photodynamic therapy of human breast cancer cells [23

• tumor treatment [27], and PLGA-chlorambucil nanoparticles have been developed for the treatment of breast cancer [28]. Due to the efficiency of CHL in cancer treatment, CHL has been used as a drug model in order to evaluate our formulated NPs. Therefore, in this study, we propose to develop a carrier

Curcumin-loaded albumin submicron particles with potential as a cancer therapy: an in vitro study

• Nittiya Suwannasom,
• Netsai Sriaksorn,
• Chutamas Thepmalee,
• Krissana Khoothiam,
• Ausanai Prapan,
• Hans Bäumler and
• Chonthida Thephinlap

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 1127–1140, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.93

• especially anticancer potential [1][2]. Several in vivo and in vitro studies in recent years have demonstrated that CUR can influence cancer cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis [3]. It has been reported that CUR exerts anticancer effects in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) by

• silk core–shell nanoparticles show high cytotoxicity and cellular uptake regarding breast cancer cells [14]. However, the effectiveness of zein nanoparticles as a delivery vehicle is limited by their poor stability, as they tend to aggregate when suspended in water [15]. Lyophilizing the particles

• ]. These findings indicate that the sensitivity to CUR and the CUR-loaded HSA-MPs depends on the cell type [41]. Previous studies have shown that CUR inhibits the growth by inducing apoptosis through p53-dependent Bax induction in MCF-7 breast cancer cells [45][46] or through p38-dependent up-regulation of

Nanoarchitectonics of photothermal materials to enhance the sensitivity of lateral flow assays

• Elangovan Sarathkumar,
• Rajasekharan S. Anjana and
• Ramapurath S. Jayasree

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 988–1003, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.82

• reduced graphene oxide (rGO), SERS imaging can be done along with photothermal therapy [84]. Recently, our group developed a multifunctional rGO–Au nanoscale architecture loaded with Raman dye and anticancer drugs for fluorescence/SERS imaging-guided breast cancer therapy. Under activation of a laser at

Antibody-conjugated nanoparticles for target-specific drug delivery of chemotherapeutics

• Mamta Kumari,
• Amitabha Acharya and
• Praveen Thaggikuppe Krishnamurthy

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 912–926, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.75

• Herceptin® to improve cellular uptake and cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells [41]. Similarly, Rayavarapu et al. conjugated HER2 antibodies on the surface of gold nanoparticles using a noncovalent conjugation method in order to increase intracellular uptake into cancer cells [42]. The adsorption results

Quercetin- and caffeic acid-functionalized chitosan-capped colloidal silver nanoparticles: one-pot synthesis, characterization, and anticancer and antibacterial activities

• Akif Hakan Kurt,
• Elif Berna Olutas,
• Fatma Avcioglu,
• Hamza Karakuş,
• Mehmet Ali Sungur,
• Cansu Kara Oztabag and
• Muhammet Yıldırım

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 362–376, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.31

• prepared and exhibited good and dose-dependent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines [58]. When adding Ch/Q- and Ch/CA-Ag NPs to ARPE-19 cells, the viability values were also lower than those of the control group, especially for caffeic acid Ag NPs (Figure 6b and Figure 6d). When Ch/Q-Ag NPs

Overview of mechanism and consequences of endothelial leakiness caused by metal and polymeric nanoparticles

• Magdalena Lasak and
• Karol Ciepluch

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 329–338, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.28

• of tumors may also contribute to faster intravasation and extravasation of cancer cells, which has been confirmed in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Peng et al. demonstrated that the exposure of breast cancer cells to TiO2, SiO2, and Au NPs significantly accelerates the intravasation and

Recent progress in cancer cell membrane-based nanoparticles for biomedical applications

• Qixiong Lin,
• Yueyou Peng,
• Yanyan Wen,
• Xiaoqiong Li,
• Donglian Du,
• Weibin Dai,
• Wei Tian and
• Yanfeng Meng

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 262–279, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.24

• , cancer cell membrane-encapsulated NPs can achieve better targeting toward tumors. Fang et al. coated poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs with the MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cell membrane. The encapsulated biomimetic NPs exhibited a stronger affinity for cultured MDA-MB-435 cells in vitro than

• cancer cells, which may be attributed to the expression of cross antigens on different cells. Pan et al. found that breast cancer MDA-MB-231 membrane-coated NPs also showed a certain affinity for the cervical cancer cell line HeLa [39]. 2.2 Modulation of the immune system Cancer cells exhibit excellent

• tumor cells and sends a “do not eat me” signal to phagocytic cells [41]. CD47 has been shown to avoid uptake by macrophages, which enables the NPs to escape immunogenic clearance [42]. Additionally, CD24 has been found to be overexpressed in several malignant diseases (e.g., ovarian and breast cancer

Nanotechnology – a robust tool for fighting the challenges of drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer

• Filip Gorachinov,
• Fatima Mraiche,
• Diala Alhaj Moustafa,
• Ola Hishari,
• Yomna Ismail,
• Jensa Joseph,
• Maja Simonoska Crcarevska,
• Marija Glavas Dodov,
• Nikola Geskovski and
• Katerina Goracinova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2023, 14, 240–261, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.23

• in mortality. Also, it is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer (11.4% of the total cases), surpassed only by female breast cancer (11.7%) [1][2][3]. According to the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2020 (GLOBOCAN database), around 1.8 million new lung mortalities were

• cancers [61][64][65]. Despite the encouraging results of antibody–drug conjugates, acquired resistance to these agents might eventually develop following the initial positive response. Various mechanisms of acquired resistance in patients with HER2-positive locally advanced breast cancer or metastatic

• breast cancer involving factors crucial for their mechanism of action are reported across the literature [66][67]. This suggests that such acquired resistance might also become a common problem in advanced NSCLC treatment [68]. Some of the potential factors of resistance, such as poor internalization