Engineering Mono-Chalcogen Nanomaterials for Omnipotent Anticancer Applications: Progress and Challenges.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Selenium (Se) and Tellurium (Te) are chalcogen elements in Group VI-A.
• Zero-valent nano-Se and nano-Te have emerged as significant inorganic nanomedicines.
• These nanoparticles exhibit potent anticancer properties by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, diffusion, and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the design and engineering of nano-Se and nano-Te based nanodelivery systems for cancer treatment.
• To elucidate the detailed anticancer molecular mechanisms of nano-Se and nano-Te.
• To highlight the role of near-infrared illumination in their photo-induced anticancer applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on nano-Se and nano-Te synthesis and applications.
• Analysis of nanodelivery systems for targeted cancer therapy.
• Discussion of molecular mechanisms and photo-induced effects.

Main Results:

• Nano-Se and nano-Te effectively suppress tumor cell proliferation, diffusion, and metastasis.
• Surface decoration strategies enable precise application in multi-modal cancer therapies.
• Photo-induced behaviors, particularly with near-infrared illumination, are key to their anticancer efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Nano-Se and nano-Te hold significant potential as advanced inorganic nanomedicines for cancer treatment.
• Engineering nanodelivery systems enhances their therapeutic capabilities.
• Further research into their challenges and future prospects is warranted.