Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles
09:03

Manufacture and Drug Delivery Applications of Silk Nanoparticles

Published on: October 8, 2016

15.9K

Disturbing cytoskeleton by engineered nanomaterials for enhanced cancer therapeutics

Xueli Xu1, Shanbin Xu2, Jipeng Wan3

  • 1School of Science, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, China.

Bioactive Materials
|August 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Nanomaterials offer improved cancer treatment by targeting the cytoskeleton, a key cellular structure. This review explores various nanomaterials for enhanced cancer therapeutics with fewer side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Oncology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • The cytoskeleton is crucial for tumor cell functions like migration and division.
  • Current anti-cancer drugs targeting the cytoskeleton cause severe side effects due to lack of specificity.
  • Nanomedicine offers enhanced stability, targeting, and reduced toxicity compared to small molecule drugs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in nanomaterials that disrupt the cytoskeleton for improved cancer therapy.
  • To analyze the characteristics, prospects, and challenges of cytoskeleton-targeting nanomedicine in clinical applications.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of various nanomaterials (carbon, noble metals, metal oxides, etc.) impacting cytoskeleton.
  • Analysis of therapeutic strategies utilizing cytoskeleton interference for cancer treatment.
  • Discussion of clinical translation challenges and future directions.

Main Results:

  • Various nanomaterials demonstrate potential in disrupting cancer cell cytoskeleton.
  • Nanomaterials show promise for targeted cancer therapy with reduced systemic toxicity.
  • The review covers diverse nanomaterial platforms including polymers, peptides, and metal-organic frameworks.

Conclusions:

  • Nanomaterials targeting the cytoskeleton represent a promising strategy for next-generation cancer therapeutics.
  • Further research and development are needed to overcome challenges for successful clinical translation.
  • This review provides a comprehensive overview to guide future research in cancer nanomedicine.
Keywords:
Disturbing cytoskeletonMigration inhibitionNanomedicineTumor therapy

More Related Videos

Isolation of Primary Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from a Syngeneic Murine Model of Breast Cancer for the Study of Targeted Nanoparticles08:02

Isolation of Primary Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from a Syngeneic Murine Model of Breast Cancer for the Study of Targeted Nanoparticles

Published on: May 14, 2021

5.7K
Synthesis of Aptamer-PEI-g-PEG Modified Gold Nanoparticles Loaded with Doxorubicin for Targeted Drug Delivery09:09

Synthesis of Aptamer-PEI-g-PEG Modified Gold Nanoparticles Loaded with Doxorubicin for Targeted Drug Delivery

Published on: June 23, 2020

6.0K

Related Concept Videos

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
2.0K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.1K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.7K
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
5.8K
Destabilization of Microtubules01:45

Destabilization of Microtubules

The destabilization of microtubules can occur during different stages of the microtubule lifecycle, such as nucleation or elongation. It can take place at either end of the microtubule or in the microtubule lattices as a whole. The lifespan of individual microtubules within a cell varies according to the cell type and stage of the cell cycle. During interphase, the lifespan of the microtubule is about 30 minutes, while during cell division, it is about 15 minutes. In axonal microtubules of...
2.8K
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that  degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However,...
2.3K