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Published on: May 8, 2020
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Zebrafish as a Model for Anticancer Nanomedicine Studies
Hissa F Al-Thani1,2, Samar Shurbaji1, Huseyin C Yalcin1,2
1Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Zebrafish are a valuable preclinical model for testing anticancer nanoparticles (NPs) due to their optical imaging and genetic manipulation advantages. This review highlights zebrafish utility in nanomedicine cancer research, covering cancer induction, assessment, and NP efficacy testing.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Oncology
- Zebrafish models
Background:
- Anticancer nanoparticles (NPs) offer targeted cancer detection, exemplified by silica NPs for epithelial cancers.
- Preclinical testing is crucial for NP efficacy and safety evaluation.
- Zebrafish present a robust animal model for nanomedicine research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advantages of zebrafish as a preclinical model for anticancer NP studies.
- To summarize cancer induction techniques and assessment methods in zebrafish.
- To discuss the evaluation of anticancer NP efficacy and toxicity in this model.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on zebrafish in nanomedicine and cancer research.
- Compilation of techniques for cancer induction in zebrafish.
- Analysis of methods for assessing cancer development and NP toxicity.
- Summarization of studies evaluating anticancer NP efficacy in zebrafish.
Main Results:
- Zebrafish offer advantages like large sample sizes, optical transparency, and genetic tractability for nanomedicine research.
- Various methods exist for inducing specific cancers in zebrafish models.
- Standardized protocols are available for assessing cancer progression and NP toxicity.
- Numerous studies demonstrate the efficacy of different anticancer NPs in zebrafish models.
Conclusions:
- Zebrafish are a highly advantageous model for preclinical nanomedicine research, particularly for anticancer NPs.
- The model facilitates comprehensive evaluation of NP-based cancer therapies, from induction to efficacy and toxicity.
- Further research utilizing zebrafish will accelerate the development of novel nanomedicines for cancer treatment.
