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

• tirapazamine (TPZ), significantly enhanced drug accumulation in hypoxic regions of solid tumors. Macrophage-mediated delivery achieved a 3.7-fold greater tumor weight reduction than free TPZ alone or in NP form [59]. This method underscores the dual utility of macrophages as both therapeutic targets and

• survival, and improved immune responses by increasing secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12 and TNF-α [64]. These findings highlight the enhanced therapeutic potential of combining M1 polarization with CAR-M therapy, particularly in treating solid tumors with a challenging immunosuppressive

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

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

• driving passive NP delivery to tumors [4][5]. In this model, leaky blood vessels and a compromised lymphatic drainage system contribute to the preferential NP extravasation and accumulation within solid tumors. However, recent evidence challenges this paradigm, suggesting that NP extravasation into tumors

• with targeting ligands (i.e., small molecules, peptides, or antibodies) that bind to overexpressed receptors within the tumor microenvironment. Despite the promise of nanomedicine, neither passive nor active delivery strategies have significantly improved clinical therapeutic outcomes for solid tumors

• unique class of nanostructures for cancer nanomedicine, offering the potential to address significant limitations associated with larger particles, particularly in treating solid tumors. The incorporation of active targeting ligands onto usNPs holds the potential to enhance their performance in cancer

Recent updates in applications of nanomedicine for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis

• Damai Ria Setyawati,
• Fransiska Christydira Sekaringtyas,
• Riyona Desvy Pratiwi,
• A’liyatur Rosyidah,
• Rohimmahtunnissa Azhar,
• Nunik Gustini,
• Gita Syahputra,
• Idah Rosidah,
• Etik Mardliyati,
• Tarwadi and
• Sjaikhurrizal El Muttaqien

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2024, 15, 1105–1116, doi:10.3762/bjnano.15.89

• treatment. The enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, first described by Maeda and co-workers in 1986, allows for high accumulation of the drug nanocarriers via the leaky vasculature and the deficient lymphatic system around solid tumors, as illustrated in the right panel of Figure 1 [3][4][5

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

• , as they increase permeability and retention effect in solid tumors, enabling precise application to the targeted cells. Various structures such as silica-based conjugates, inorganic polymers, ceramic nanomaterials, gold, iron oxide, and noble metal nanoparticles have been utilized [9][10]. Among the

• laser-driven photothermal agent [25]. However, it is challenging to completely eradicate solid tumors using PTT alone because of light scattering and limited absorption in tumor tissues. For this purpose, various modifications have been employed for passive tumor targeting. PEGylation, which involves

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

• in solid tumors that are responsible for the transport of NPs by the transcellular route. They referred to these cells as NP-transporting endothelial cells (N-TECs). Their results suggest that only 21% of tumor vascular endothelial cells, unequally distributed along the blood vessels, participate in

• aspect is the EPR effect, which is a phenomenon characteristic of mature solid tumors. The vascular permeability factors (e.g., VEGF) produced in higher concentrations by cancer cells stimulate the formation of an abnormal vascular structure, which can be used in the passive targeting of nanodrugs

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

• of cancer cell membranes. In this review, different properties and functions of cancer cell membranes are presented. Utilizing these advantages, nanoparticles can exhibit unique therapeutic capabilities in various types of diseases, such as solid tumors, hematological malignancies, immune system

• summarized in Table 1 and described in detail in the following sections. 3.1 Malignant neoplasms Insufficient targeting of tumor tissue has hindered patients from further benefiting from therapy. Exploiting the homotypic aggregation behavior during initiation and progression of solid tumors [31], biomimetic

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

• targeting efficacy of nanomedicines. Various solutions have been proposed to improve mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) evasion, extravasation at the tumor site, and diffusion through the dense collagen matrix of the solid tumors. Biomimetic, multifunctional, and multistage targeted nanoscale delivery

• interaction with the overexpressed EGFR receptors [126]. Such multifunctional nanocarriers with multistage targeting hold promise for improved efficacy of treatment and increased the intracellular availability of anticancer agents for solid tumors with EGFR overexpression, among them lung cancer. Leuko-like

Photothermal ablation of murine melanomas by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle clusters

• Xue Wang,
• Lili Xuan and
• Ying Pan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2022, 13, 255–264, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.20

• therapeutic efficacies in vivo, we first implanted A375 cells subcutaneously into BALB/c mice to form solid tumors. Then, the mice randomly assigned into the five treatment groups specified in the Experimental session. Briefly, these tumor-bearing mice were injected intratumorally with either Fe3O4 NPCs (2.5

Comprehensive review on ultrasound-responsive theranostic nanomaterials: mechanisms, structures and medical applications

• Sepand Tehrani Fateh,
• Lida Moradi,
• Elmira Kohan,
• Michael R. Hamblin and
• Amin Shiralizadeh Dezfuli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 808–862, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.64

The impact of molecular tumor profiling on the design strategies for targeting myeloid leukemia and EGFR/CD44-positive solid tumors

• Nikola Geskovski,
• Nadica Matevska-Geshkovska,
• Simona Dimchevska Sazdovska,
• Marija Glavas Dodov,
• Kristina Mladenovska and
• Katerina Goracinova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 375–401, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.31

• efficacy of the cancer treatment. This article will focus on novel design strategies for nanoscale drug delivery systems, based on the unique molecular signatures of myeloid leukemia and EGFR/CD44-positive solid tumors, and the impact of novel discoveries in molecular tumor profiles on future

• chemotherapeutic protocols. Keywords: CD44; EGFR; liquid tumors; molecular tumor targeting; myeloid leukemia; solid tumors; surface-engineered nanoparticles; Introduction The conventional chemotherapy regimens of both liquid (hematological) and solid tumors are challenged by their lack of targeting ability

• of individualized tumor signatures for a personalized therapy against cancers. The greatest interest regarding the development of targeted nanoscale drug delivery systems is related to solid tumors. However, liquid tumor targeting can greatly benefit from the application of nanomedicines during

Differences in surface chemistry of iron oxide nanoparticles result in different routes of internalization

• Barbora Svitkova,
• Vlasta Zavisova,
• Veronika Nemethova,
• Martina Koneracka,
• Miroslava Kretova,
• Filip Razga,
• Monika Ursinyova and
• Alena Gabelova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2021, 12, 270–281, doi:10.3762/bjnano.12.22

• , albumin-binding proteins are present on various human tumor cell lines derived from solid tumors [59]. In contrast to BSA-SO-MNPs, CavME was the predominant mechanism involved in the uptake of PEG-SO-MNPs. The internalized quantity of PEG-SO-MNPs was substantially lower compared with control cells when F

Rational design of block copolymer self-assemblies in photodynamic therapy

• Maxime Demazeau,
• Laure Gibot,
• Anne-Françoise Mingotaud,
• Patricia Vicendo,
• Clément Roux and
• Barbara Lonetti

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2020, 11, 180–212, doi:10.3762/bjnano.11.15

• the delivery of PDT sensitizers [120]. Many groups have explored this strategy since. More recently, one of the most often targeted cell-surface entities has been EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor, overexpressed in a variety of solid tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck

Carbon nanomaterials sensitize prostate cancer cells to docetaxel and mitomycin C via induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation

• Kati Erdmann,
• Jessica Ringel,
• Silke Hampel,
• Manfred P. Wirth and
• Susanne Fuessel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2017, 8, 1307–1317, doi:10.3762/bjnano.8.132

• [3][4]. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is routinely used in the treatment of other solid tumors such as bladder, breast and colon cancer [3][4]. To date it is not recommended for localized PCa by the current guidelines [2]. However, several clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of a

• the tumor site is hindered by the high interstitial fluid pressure of solid tumors [9]. In contrast, macromolecular compounds such as CNFs and CNTs can accumulate into solid tumors much easier by taking advantage of the enhanced permeability and retention effect, which is caused by the inconsistent

A novel electrochemical nanobiosensor for the ultrasensitive and specific detection of femtomolar-level gastric cancer biomarker miRNA-106a

• Maryam Daneshpour,
• Kobra Omidfar and
• Hossein Ghanbarian

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 2023–2036, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.193

• Xq26.2. Unlike most members of this cluster, the altered expression of miR-106a can be followed in solid tumors, stool, and plasma/serum samples of patients with gastrointestinal tumors such as GC and colorectal cancer [10][11]. According to the recent studies, miR-106a level is significantly associated

Antitumor magnetic hyperthermia induced by RGD-functionalized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, in an experimental model of colorectal liver metastases

• Oihane K. Arriortua,
• Eneko Garaio,
• Borja Herrero de la Parte,
• Maite Insausti,
• Luis Lezama,
• Fernando Plazaola,
• Jose Angel García,
• Jesús M. Aizpurua,
• Maialen Sagartzazu,
• Mireia Irazola,
• Nestor Etxebarria,
• Ignacio García-Alonso,
• Alberto Saiz-López and
• José Javier Echevarria-Uraga

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 1532–1542, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.147

• overexpressed in some types of solid tumors [47]. So it could be suggested that αVβ3 integrin would be responsible for the special location of MNPs around the tumors. Pathological studies demonstrated that there was no relevant damage in hepatic tissue after exposure to the hyperthermia treatment. However

Early breast cancer screening using iron/iron oxide-based nanoplatforms with sub-femtomolar limits of detection

• Dinusha N. Udukala,
• Hongwang Wang,
• Sebastian O. Wendel,
• Aruni P. Malalasekera,
• Thilani N. Samarakoon,
• Asanka S. Yapa,
• Gayani Abayaweera,
• Matthew T. Basel,
• Pamela Maynez,
• Raquel Ortega,
• Yubisela Toledo,
• Leonie Bossmann,
• Colette Robinson,
• Katharine E. Janik,
• Olga B. Koper,
• Ping Li,
• Massoud Motamedi,
• Daniel A. Higgins,
• Gary Gadbury,
• Gaohong Zhu,
• Deryl L. Troyer and
• Stefan H. Bossmann

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2016, 7, 364–373, doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.33

• matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue serine proteases, and cathepsins (CTS) exhibit numerous functions in tumor biology. Solid tumors are characterized by changes in protease expression levels by tumor and surrounding tissue. Therefore, monitoring protease levels in tissue samples and liquid biopsies

Nanoencapsulation of ultra-small superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide into human serum albumin nanoparticles

• Matthias G. Wacker,
• Mahmut Altinok,
• Stephan Urfels and
• Johann Bauer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 2259–2266, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.235

• in a size range between 50 and 300 nm, that is needed for an optimized accumulation in solid tumors [6]. Therewith, investigations by NTA confirmed earlier observations made by TEM and DLS. Storage stability of USPIO hybrid particles USPIO HSA hybrid particles with a theoretical drug load of 10, 15

• such as antibodies [1][2] and other proteins [3][4]. Aside the specific binding affinity, drug targeting is based on a passive accumulation mechanism that is controlled by particle size and surface characteristics of the colloids. Particles ranging in size between 50 and 300 nm accumulate in solid

• tumors due to the enhanced permeability and retention effect [5]. While circulating through the blood stream, these colloids undergo an opsonization by the immune system followed by endocytosis into macrophages. Particles of greater diameters are rapidly cleared from the plasma and smaller colloidal

The softening of human bladder cancer cells happens at an early stage of the malignancy process

• Jorge R. Ramos,
• Joanna Pabijan,
• Ricardo Garcia and
• Malgorzata Lekka

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 447–457, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.52

• cancerous cells in the tumor progression [1][2]. The best example is breast cancer, whose solid tumors are detectable in macroscale by palpation whereas single cells show a larger deformability [3]. In this context, it has also been proposed that tumorigenesis in breast tissues is driven by changes in the

Magnetic-Fe/Fe₃O₄-nanoparticle-bound SN38 as carboxylesterase-cleavable prodrug for the delivery to tumors within monocytes/macrophages

• Hongwang Wang,
• Tej B. Shrestha,
• Matthew T. Basel,
• Raj K. Dani,
• Gwi-Moon Seo,
• Sivasai Balivada,
• Marla M. Pyle,
• Heidy Prock,
• Olga B. Koper,
• Prem S. Thapa,
• David Moore,
• Ping Li,
• Viktor Chikan,
• Deryl L. Troyer and
• Stefan H. Bossmann

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2012, 3, 444–455, doi:10.3762/bjnano.3.51

• biocompatible hydrophilic functional groups to SN38 through chemical modification. A 40 kDa polyethylene glycol has been linked to the SN38 [16]. The highly water-soluble PEGylated SN38 (EZN-2208) demonstrated both drastic enhancement of its circulating half-life and preferential accumulation in solid tumors