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Updated: Nov 24, 2025
Anticancer Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy with Lung Cancer-Targeted Nanoparticles
Published on: December 1, 2016
Nanomedicine: Photo-activated nanostructured titanium dioxide, as a promising anticancer agent
Nefeli Lagopati1, Konstantinos Evangelou2, Polycarpos Falaras3
1Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, Molecular Carcinogenesis Group, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75, Mikras Asias Str., Goudi, GR 11527 Athens, Greece; Laboratory of General Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, 9, Iroon Polytechniou str., GR 15780 Zografou, Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
The multivariate condition of cancer disease has been approached in various ways, by the scientific community. Recent studies focus on individualized treatments, minimizing the undesirable consequences of the conventional methods, but the development of an alternative effective therapeutic scheme remains to be held. Nanomedicine could provide a solution, filling this gap, exploiting the unique properties of innovative nanostructured materials. Nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO2) has a variety of applications of daily routine and of advanced technology. Due to its biocompatibility, it has also a great number of biomedical applications. It is now clear that photo-excited TiO2 nanoparticles, induce generation of pairs of electrons and holes which react with water and oxygen to yield reactive oxygen species (ROS) that have been proven to damage cancer cells, triggering controlled cellular processes. The aim of this review is to provide insights into the field of nanomedicine and particularly into the wide context of TiO2-NP-mediated anticancer effect, shedding light on the achievements of nanotechnology and proposing this nanostructured material as a promising anticancer photosensitizer.
Insights
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles show promise as an anticancer photosensitizer. When photo-excited, these nanoparticles generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that damage cancer cells, offering a novel nanomedicine approach.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Biomaterials Science
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer treatment faces challenges with conventional methods, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Nanomedicine offers potential solutions by leveraging advanced nanostructured materials.
- Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles possess biocompatibility and diverse applications, including biomedical uses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of nanomedicine in cancer treatment.
- To explore the anticancer effects mediated by titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs).
- To highlight nanotechnology achievements and TiO2-NPs as potential anticancer photosensitizers.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on nanomedicine and TiO2 nanoparticles in cancer research.
- Analysis of the mechanism of TiO2 nanoparticle-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- Evaluation of TiO2-NPs as photosensitizers for cancer therapy.
Main Results:
- Photo-excited TiO2 nanoparticles generate electron-hole pairs.
- These pairs react with water and oxygen to produce ROS.
- ROS have demonstrated efficacy in damaging cancer cells and triggering controlled cellular processes.
Conclusions:
- TiO2 nanoparticles exhibit promising anticancer properties through ROS generation.
- Nanotechnology, specifically TiO2-NPs, offers a potential advancement in cancer treatment.
- TiO2-NPs are proposed as effective anticancer photosensitizers for future therapeutic development.
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