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One stone, many birds: Recent advances in functional nanogels for cancer nanotheranostics
Huiyi Wang1, Matias L Picchio1, Marcelo Calderón1,2
1POLYMAT, Applied Chemistry Department, Faculty of Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
Abstract:
Inspired by the development of nanomedicine and nanotechnology, more and more possibilities in cancer theranostic have been provided in the last few years. Emerging therapeutic modalities like starvation therapy, chemodynamic therapy, and tumor oxygenation have been integrated with diagnosis, giving a plethora of theranostic nanoagents. Among all of them, nanogels (NGs) show superiority benefiting from their unique attributes: high stability, high water-absorption, large specific surface area, mechanical strength, controlled responsiveness, and high encapsulation capacity. There have been a vast number of investigations supporting various NGs combining drug delivery and multiple bioimaging techniques, encompassing photothermal imaging, photoacoustic imaging, fluorescent imaging, ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography. This review summarizes recent advances in functional NGs for theranostic nanomedicine and discusses the challenges and future perspectives of this fast-growing field. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging.
Insights
Functional nanogels (NGs) offer advanced cancer theranostics by integrating therapies like starvation and chemodynamic therapy with diagnostics. These nanogels (NGs) excel in drug delivery and various bioimaging techniques for improved cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology
- Oncologic Disease Research
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Nanomedicine and nanotechnology advancements have expanded cancer theranostic capabilities.
- Emerging therapies (starvation, chemodynamic, tumor oxygenation) are integrated with diagnostics into nanoagents.
- Nanogels (NGs) are superior theranostic nanoagents due to their stability, water absorption, surface area, mechanical strength, responsiveness, and encapsulation capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in functional nanogels (NGs) for cancer theranostics.
- To highlight the integration of drug delivery with multiple bioimaging techniques using NGs.
- To discuss challenges and future perspectives in nanogel-based theranostic nanomedicine.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of nanogel applications in cancer theranostics.
- Analysis of nanogels combining drug delivery with bioimaging modalities.
- Synthesis of recent research on functional nanogels for oncologic disease.
Main Results:
- Nanogels (NGs) demonstrate significant potential in combining therapeutic delivery with diagnostic imaging.
- Various bioimaging techniques (photothermal, photoacoustic, fluorescent, ultrasound, MRI, CT) are integrated with NGs.
- Functional NGs show promise for personalized cancer treatment strategies.
Conclusions:
- Functional nanogels represent a rapidly growing field with significant promise for cancer theranostics.
- Continued research into nanogel design and application is crucial for overcoming current challenges.
- Nanogels are poised to play a pivotal role in the future of nanomedicine for oncologic disease.
