Antitumor potential of silver nanoparticles against lung cancer: current trends, scope and relevance

Lung cancer continues to be a disease that is feared on a global scale due to its high mortality rates. The annual incidence of lung cancer is estimated to be 1.8 million, with approximately 1.6 million fatalities. Conventional treatment regimens are ineffective because they are unable to eradicate lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs). LCSCs are known to be highly resistant to treatment, induce relapse, strengthen metastasis, preserve tumorigenicity, and self-renewal. This demonstrates the necessity of a novel treatment modality that can specifically target lung cancer and its progenitor cells. Nanomaterials (NMs) handle unique challenges with outstanding solutions in a variety of industrial and scientific applications. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most commonly used NMs in drug delivery, medical diagnostics, energy harvesting devices, sensors, lubricants, and bioremediation. Notably, they have demonstrated strong antibacterial, anticancer, and antiviral capabilities in the biomedical sector. The literature analysis reveals a selective cytotoxic impact on cancer cells compared to healthy cells, highlighting its potential utility in cancer treatment and emphasizing the necessity to investigate the potential risk of their use to the environment and human health.