Nanocarrier strategies to overcome P-glycoprotein-mediated drug resistance in cancer therapy

• Andreina Quevedo-Enríquez,
• Katty Yi Zhang,
• Denisse Yajaira Enriquez,
• Byron Raul Inapanta,
• Roxana Noemí Peroni and
• Christian Rafael Quijia

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 882–921, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.64

• enhance tumor selectivity and intracellular retention. Preclinical evidence consistently demonstrates improved drug accumulation, restored chemosensitivity, and reduced systemic toxicity. Nevertheless, clinical translation remains constrained by tumor heterogeneity, variable biological barriers, large

• -mediated resistance: Both approaches elevate systemic toxicity without reliably restoring drug sensitivity and are associated with decreased survival in patients with breast, colorectal, lung, and other cancers [18]. Co-administration of two or more synergistic drugs has offered partial improvements in

• , bypassing P-gp at the plasma membrane, and by enabling co-delivery of P-gp inhibitors or siRNA at therapeutically relevant intracellular concentrations, nanocarrier systems offer a route to restoring drug sensitivity without the systemic toxicity liabilities associated with conventional inhibition

Nanoparticle delivery systems for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): advances and challenges

• Sonia Zahara and
• Björn M. Reinhard

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 839–853, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.60

• requirements of nanosuspensions [39][40][41][42][43][44]. Moreover, the increased biocompatibility and controlled degradation ability of polymers, such as PLGA, reduce the long-term toxicity concerns that are associated with some inorganic particles that exhibit no or slow biodegradation such as gold or silica

• fabrication may raise some concerns about residual solvent toxicity [53]. Another point to note is that active targeting via surface ligand decoration, common in lipid-based systems, is more challenging to implement with polymers and typically requires additional chemical modification of the polymer building

• ’ intrinsic antiviral actions such as protease inhibition [72][73][74]. Some studies of the toxicity of MNPs have provided indications of mitochondrial dysfunction, increased membrane permeability, cellular damage, and oxidative stress in host cells in response to MNP exposure [75][76]. Silicon-based systems

Sustainable fabrication of 2D-based devices through reuse of substrates with microfabricated electrodes

• Ying Zhang,
• Yigit Sozen,
• Esteban Zamora-Amo,
• Thomas Pucher,
• Nuria Jiménez-Arévalo,
• Zdenek Sofer,
• Yong Xie and
• Andres Castellanos-Gomez

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 818–827, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.58

• cleaning conditions. Dihydrolevoglucosenone (Cyrene) has recently emerged as a greener alternative within this class, with solubility parameters and surface tension similar to those of NMP and DMF, but a lower toxicity profile [30][31]. Overall, these observations suggest that the solvent classes effective

Restorative potential of laser-synthesized silver nanoparticles with Salvia officinalis for periodontal disease treatment: an in vitro study

• Jelena Filipović Tričković,
• Sanja Živković,
• Bojana Ilić,
• Miloš Tošić,
• Jelena Marinković,
• Ana Valenta Šobot and
• Miloš Momčilović

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 781–795, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.55

• , even though they usually extract higher levels of phytoconstituents [30]. In contrast, aqueous extraction relies on eco-friendly principles that reduce toxicity and support the biocompatibility of the obtained nanoparticles. The high concentration of rosmarinic acid in our extract is particularly

• laser energy of 6 mJ, their use in dental medicine could be limited due to bystander toxicity [42]. The results of cell viability testing showed that only SageAgNPs6mJ did not reduce cell viability after both treatment times at 1 × MIC concentration, suggesting that the sage extract used for AgNP

• cells, outlining the concentration limit. Previous studies also showed that the toxicity of AgNPs strongly depends on the size, concentration, and surface modification, and that the synthesis with phytochemicals could reduce their toxicity and improve biocompatibility [43][44]. SageAgNPs6mJ exhibited

Environmental applications of silver nanoparticles: state-of-the-art review and emerging trends

• Soni Prajapati,
• Akash Kumar and
• Ranjana Singh

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 697–736, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.49

• safety and the risks associated with environmental applications, in particular regarding the cytotoxicity of Ag+ ions [31]. The mechanisms underlying the toxicity of AgNPs towards various organisms, including humans, must be elucidated to inform risk assessment and mitigation strategies [32]. The AgNPs

• exhibit toxicity towards aquatic organisms, including bacteria, algae, invertebrates, and fish, with reported adverse effects such as growth inhibition, reproductive impairment, and mortality [32][33]. Moreover, various factors influence the fate and transport of AgNPs in environmental samples, including

• particle size, surface composition, state stability, and organic matter, which ultimately generate bioavailability and toxicity concerns [34]. The regulatory framework governing AgNP environmental applications remains fragmented across jurisdictions; while OECD, ISO, EU, and US EPA guidelines address

Protein-based custom-designed molecular nanotraps for biomedical applications

• Devid Maniglio,
• Alice Marinangeli and
• Alessandra Maria Bossi

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 683–687, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.47

• , choosing the protein building block among those already in use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, such as gelatin and silk fibroin, ensures biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity. Despite these potentials, to date, the use of proteins as building blocks for the preparation of

Decontamination from water pollutants and pathogens by electrospun nanofibers doped with heavy-atom-free borafluorene-BODIPY photosensitizers

• Angelika Zaszczyńska,
• Paulina H. Marek-Urban,
• Karolina Wrochna,
• Agnieszka E. Kuklewska,
• Kacper Kręgielewski,
• Marta Grodzik,
• Dawid R. Natkowski,
• Jolanta Mierzejewska,
• Ewa Iwanek,
• Agata Blacha-Grzechnik,
• Paweł Sajkiewicz and
• Krzysztof Durka

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 668–682, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.46

• heavy atoms (e.g., I, Ru, Pt, and Au) [17][18][19][20], which enhance intersystem crossing induced by spin–orbit coupling (SOC-ISC), but also increase dark toxicity, shorten the triplet lifetime, and decrease photostability [21][22][23]. For these reasons, heavy-atom-free BODIPY photosensitizers have

• antimicrobial efficacy similar to that of higher concentrations while potentially reducing toxicity and improving cost efficiency. The photoactivity of 1@PCL materials is comparable to that of a BODIPY-embedded electrospun PCL material studied by Cakmak et al. [62], which achieved 0.6–2.6 log reductions in

Cellulose as a photocatalyst support material: extraction, structural features, and environmental applications

• Yee Teng Lim,
• Nur Farhana Jaafar,
• Azizul Hakim Lahuri and
• Endang Tri Wahyuni

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 635–652, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.44

• for burns and chronic wounds, highlighting their crucial role in modern biomedicine. A notable example is cellulose acetate (CA), a natural and environmentally friendly derivative obtained from renewable sources such as wood pulp, which combines non-toxicity with water-attracting properties, robust

• gained prominence because of their ability to selectively target specific organs and tissues, thereby reducing side effects, minimizing systemic toxicity, and improving overall treatment efficiency [23]. Researchers are increasingly developing cellulose-based scaffolds for tissue engineering as these

• applied in wastewater treatment to degrade organic pollutants efficiently [86]. Metal oxides serve as key activators in photocatalytic oxidation by initiating radical chain reactions, and they remain favored for their low cost, minimal toxicity, and ease of modification through strategies such as size

Two-step laser synthesis of Ag@TiO₂ nanomaterials for the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B

• Marija Kovačević,
• Miloš Tošić,
• Rafaela Radičić,
• Vladimir Rajić,
• Nikša Krstulović,
• Miloš Momčilović and
• Sanja Živković

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 622–634, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.43

• photosynthetic activity by limiting light penetration in water bodies and causes toxicity to aquatic organisms. Furthermore, RhB is considered a potential mutagen and carcinogen, capable of causing DNA damage and posing significant risks to human health through bioaccumulation in the food chain. Given these

Advances in nanotechnology applied to natural products

• Douglas Dourado,
• Fábio Rocha Formiga,
• Éverton do Nascimento Alencar and
• Franceline Reynaud

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 555–558, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.36

• nanoplatforms for the delivery of natural products, offering structural stability, tunable release profiles, and controllable surface properties [20]. Polymeric nanoparticles, in particular, can protect bioactive compounds, potentially reduce off-target toxicity, and enhance specific biological responses

First-principles study on elastic properties of Cu, (Cu_1−x,Ni_x)₃Sn and interfacial mechanical properties of (Cu_1−x,Ni_x)₃Sn/Cu in the lead-free solder joint

• Guomin Hua

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 428–439, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.29

• alloying strategies to meet the requirements for electronic device miniaturization and harsh environmental applications. Keywords: ductility; elastic modulus; interfacial toughness; lead-free solder; work of adhesion; Introduction Due its toxicity, lead has caused serious problems in human health and

Nanoinformatics: spanning scales, systems and solutions

• Iseult Lynch,
• Diego S. T. Martinez,
• Kunal Roy and
• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 423–427, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.28

• questions including the prediction of (nano)materials (NM) functionality, nanomaterials fate in the environment, toxicity or therapeutic ability, and recyclability. As the properties of nanomaterials themselves span several scales, from electronic, atomistic, mesoscopic to continuum, and are highly dynamic

• nanomaterials physicochemical properties, structural features, and biomolecule interactions using both physics-based and machine-learning (ML) approaches; (ii) prediction of nanomaterials toxicity including development of novel toxicity-related descriptors; (iii) solution-focussed approaches applying advanced

• major topic in the field is to identify the drivers of nanomaterials toxicity, through understanding which physicochemical properties or atomistic properties are most strongly correlated with – and thus predictive of – toxicity, often measured in vitro as cytotoxicity. To address this question, Roy and

Biomimetic nanoparticles in cancer photodynamic therapy: a review of targeted delivery systems and therapeutic outcomes

• Valentina I. Gorbacheva,
• Alexey S. Grabovoy,
• Polina S. Marukhina,
• Anastasiia O. Syrocheva and
• Ekaterina P. Kolesova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 396–422, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.27

• reduced systemic toxicity [1]. Among emerging treatments, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has garnered considerable attention due to its minimally invasive nature, spatiotemporal control, and ability to selectively destroy tumor tissues while sparing healthy cells [2]. PDT operates through a unique mechanism

• tissue via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, driven by tumor vasculature characteristics [10]. This enhances delivery selectivity, reducing therapeutic doses and impact on healthy tissues. The nanoparticle shell isolates the PS, reducing dark toxicity and systemic phototoxicity [11

• generation requires efficient excitation and minimal competing non-ROS-producing relaxation pathways. Low dark toxicity minimizes harm in the absence of light. High stability and low aggregation under physiological conditions are essential for maintaining photochemical activity [22]. A balanced

Beam shaping techniques for pulsed laser ablation in liquids: Unlocking tunable control of nanoparticle synthesis in liquids

• Sergio Molina-Prados,
• Nadezhda M. Bulgakova,
• Alexander V. Bulgakov,
• Jesus Lancis,
• Gladys Mínguez Vega and
• Carlos Doñate-Buendia

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 309–342, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.22

• indeed eco-friendly and offer advantages like low toxicity and reduced environmental impact; however, they generally offer less control over NP properties. Moreover, other physical methods such as milling, pyrolysis, sputtering, and arc discharge, or gas-phase processes such as flame spray pyrolysis or

Safe and sustainable by design with ML/AI: A transformative approach to advancing nanotechnology

• Georgia Melagraki

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 176–185, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.11

• networks, where standardized information on nanomaterial properties and toxicity profiles can be used to train increasingly robust ML models. Overall, the synergy between the SSbD concept, advanced ML/AI algorithms, and comprehensive regulatory directives fosters a future-oriented model of nanotechnology

• and sustainability considerations into nanomaterial development. Need for harmonized testing protocols Establishing standardized and reproducible methodologies for characterizing nanomaterial properties – such as size distribution, surface chemistry, and toxicity profiles – is essential. A unified

• environmental and climate data with information on the production, release, exposure, and toxicity of materials with many complex descriptors [38]. (2) Big data analytics: Advanced algorithms can carefully analyse high-dimensional datasets, identifying patterns between physicochemical characteristics of ENMs

From shield to spear: Charge-reversible nanocarriers in overcoming cancer therapy barriers

• Madhuri Yeduvaka,
• Pooja Mittal,
• Ameer Boyalakuntla,
• Usman Bee Shaik,
• Himanshu Sharma,
• Thakur Gurjeet Singh,
• Siva Nageswara Rao Gajula and
• Lakshmi Vineela Nalla

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 159–175, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.10

• 16.8% of all deaths and 30.3% of premature mortality due to noncommunicable diseases, and continues to be one of the leading causes of death worldwide despite medical progress. Conventional treatment methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy often face challenges such as systemic toxicity

• the crucial role of surface charge in cellular uptake and intracellular transport, highlighting recent advances that demonstrate improved targeting, reduced systemic toxicity, enhanced cellular internalisation, and the potential for integrated approaches, including combination therapies and

• biodistribution while protecting fragile biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids [11]. Through targeted and sustained release, these systems enhance therapeutic efficacy, prolong circulation, and reduce systemic toxicity compared to conventional formulations [12][13]. As illustrated in Figure 1

Influence of surface characteristics on the in vitro stability and cell uptake of nanoliposomes for brain delivery

• Dushko Shalabalija,
• Ljubica Mihailova,
• Nikola Geskovski,
• Andreas Zimmer,
• Otmar Geiss,
• Sabrina Gioria,
• Diletta Scaccabarozzi and
• Marija Glavas Dodov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 139–158, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.9

• well known that incorporating AC into NLs improves their biological distribution, reduces macrophage uptake, and lowers free AC concentrations, thus decreasing systemic toxicity. Additionally, modifying the composition and surface properties of NLs can enhance their passage through the blood–brain

• stability, toxicity, and therapeutic potential of nanodelivery systems, thus improving the translation of study results to real biological systems. In this direction, some of the prerequisites for establishing a relevant in vitro model for cell uptake studies include precise control over factors like

Development and in vitro evaluation of liposomes and immunoliposomes containing 5-fluorouracil and R-phycoerythrin as a potential phototheranostic system for colorectal cancer

• Raissa Rodrigues Camelo,
• Vivianne Cortez Sombra Vandesmet,
• Octavio Vital Baccallini,
• José de Brito Vieira Neto,
• Thais da Silva Moreira,
• Luzia Kalyne Almeida Moreira Leal,
• Claudia Pessoa,
• Daniel Giuliano Cerri,
• Maria Vitória Lopes Badra Bentley,
• Josimar O. Eloy,
• Ivanildo José da Silva Júnior and
• Raquel Petrilli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 97–121, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.7

• third most prevalent type of cancer in the world. R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) is a phycobiliprotein isolated from red algae such as Solieria filiformis, with fluorescent properties, photodynamic activity and potential for cancer treatment. However, 5-FU toxicity promotes several side effects and R-PE low

• intratumor accumulation with higher cellular internalization. In addition, the use of immunoliposomes contributes to reducing systemic toxicity, since their delivery is concentrated in the tumor microenvironment, avoiding exposure of healthy tissues [8]. In colorectal cancer, the epidermal growth factor

• evaluated, and the systems were thoroughly characterized. Finally, in vitro experiments in a CRC cell line were conducted for the evaluation of cytotoxicity, photo toxicity, and uptake. Some studies have sought to demonstrate that dual-drug nanosystems can result in synergistic antitumor effects or reduce

Functional surface engineering for cultural heritage protection: the role of superhydrophobic and superoleophobic coatings – a comprehensive review

• Giuseppe Cesare Lama,
• Marino Lavorgna,
• Letizia Verdolotti,
• Federica Recupido,
• Giovanna Giuliana Buonocore and
• Bharat Bhushan

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 63–96, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.6

• organogel, composed of poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB), ethyl lactate (EL), and deferoxamine B (DFO), for the simultaneous removal of iron corrosion and aged acrylic coatings from historical metal artefacts. This gel is made of bio-based, biodegradable, and low-toxicity materials, aligned with Green Chemistry

• materials and low-toxicity systems, while the other studies [78][80] approach it only indirectly, through solvent-free processing or durability improvements rather than fully closed life-cycle considerations. Textile substrates Just like wood, heritage textile materials are organic substrates since they are

Internal 3D temperature mapping in biological systems using ratiometric light-sheet imaging and lipid-coated upconversion nanothermometers

• Dannareli Barron-Ortiz,
• Enric Pérez-Parets,
• Rubén D. Cadena-Nava,
• Emilio J. Gualda,
• Jacob Licea-Rodríguez,
• Juan Hernández-Cordero,
• Pablo Loza-Álvarez and
• Israel Rocha-Mendoza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2306–2316, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.159

• measure the internal temperature within fixed C. elegans nematodes. The worms were fed with the UCNPs@lipids solution at a 1 mg·mL−1 concentration, consistent with imaging and toxicity studies [56]. Figure 5 illustrates the workflow for obtaining temperature maps. The process begins with identifying the

Improving magnetic properties of Mn- and Zn-doped core–shell iron oxide nanoparticles by tuning their size

• Dounia Louaguef,
• Ghouti Medjahdi,
• Sébastien Diliberto,
• Klaus M. Seemann,
• Thomas Gries,
• Joelle Bizeau,
• Damien Mertz,
• Eric Gaffet and
• Halima Alem

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2285–2295, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.157

• ), have been extensively studied due to their low toxicity, biocompatibility, and ease of synthesis [5]. However, SPIONs face several challenges related to their relatively low saturation magnetization (Ms) and specific loss power (SLP), which limit their effectiveness in hyperthermia applications

Optical bio/chemical sensors for vitamin B₁₂ analysis in food and pharmaceuticals: state of the art, challenges, and future outlooks

• Seyed Mohammad Taghi Gharibzahedi and
• Zeynep Altintas

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2207–2244, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.153

Missing links in nanomaterials research impacting productivity and perceptions

• Santosh K. Tiwari and
• Nannan Wang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2168–2176, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.149

• standardized toxicity assessment, environmental fate modeling, and lifecycle analysis to enable safe and scalable commercialization. (2) Strengthen industry engagement through public–private partnerships that integrate advanced nanomaterials such as graphene, MXenes, nanoporous catalysts, and quantum dots into

Microplastic pollution in Himalayan lakes: assessment, risks, and sustainable remediation strategies

• Sameeksha Rawat,
• S. M. Tauseef and
• Madhuben Sharma

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2144–2167, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.148

• its behavior in distant, elevated lake systems such as the Himalayas. The most important areas to focus with regard to the ecotoxicological impact of microplastics are the bioaccumulation of microplastics in the Himalayan food web, plasticizer toxicity, and long-term potential health and ecological

• ”, “groundwater contamination”, “plastic toxicity”, “MP remediation technologies”, “bioremediation”, “SDG 6”, and “ecological risk”. Literature search was restricted to articles published in the period of 2010–2025. Peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and technical reports published in the English

• in Himalayan groundwater [30]. Our addition of groundwater vulnerability modeling and toxicity pathways to this contributes by incorporating MPs into groundwater threat frameworks, providing a new contribution in linking solid plastic pollution with hydrological threats in vulnerable highland

Quality by design optimization of microemulsions for topical delivery of Passiflora setacea seed oil

• Daniel T. Pereira,
• Douglas Dourado,
• Danielle T. Freire,
• Dayanne L. Porto,
• Cícero F. S. Aragão,
• Myla L. de Souza,
• Guilherme R. S. de Araujo,
• Ana Maria Costa,
• Wógenes N. Oliveira,
• Anne Sapin-Minet,
• Éverton N. Alencar and
• Eryvaldo Sócrates T. Egito

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2116–2131, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.146

• , the ME preserved mitochondrial activity at concentrations up to 0.5 mg/mL in HUVEC and 2 mg/mL in RAW 264.7 cells after 48 h. Toxicity observed at higher concentrations was attributed to increased surfactant content, highlighting the importance of formulation optimization. Despite these promising