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In Vivo Targeting of Xenografted Human Cancer Cells with Functionalized Fluorescent Silica Nanoparticles in Zebrafish
Published on: May 8, 2020
Nanotheranostics in Zebrafish Cancer Models: Insights into Targeting, Biodistribution, and Systemic Drug Delivery
Akshay Kale1, Nandini Vinodrao Randhave1, Dipali Patil1
1Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi 221005, India.
Abstract:
Nanotheranostics have brought a new era in cancer treatment. However, obstacles to their wider use persist in the areas of biodistribution, safety profiling, and clinical translation. Consequently, for nanotechnology to work properly, it is crucial to assess its safety and potential therapeutic applications. However, the traditional mammalian models face constraints due to their high cost, ethical concerns, and low throughput. An effective substitute to overcome these restrictions in nanotheranostics research are the xenotransplant, genetic, and chemically induced zebrafish (Danio rerio) models. The zebrafish offers several benefits as a model organism for research into cancer treatments. Due to their short life cycle, high degree of genetic resemblance to humans, and well-studied organ systems, they are an excellent candidate for pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies. Factors including complicated pharmacokinetics, organ-specific toxicity, and unexpected in vivo behavior frequently impede the progress of nanotheranostics for biomedical uses, especially in cancer treatment and drug delivery. To overcome the aforementioned limitations, various nanotheranostics such as liposomes, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (NPs), magnetic NPs, exosomes, micelles, polymerosomes, etc., showed a promising outcome in enhancing drug delivery, improving therapeutic efficacy, and reducing systemic toxicity. This review discusses the utility of zebrafish larvae cancer models in evaluating nanotheranostics, with emphasis on factors influencing nanoparticle biodistribution and the potential of targeted drug delivery within these models.
Insights
Zebrafish models offer a promising alternative for nanotheranostics research, overcoming limitations of traditional models. These models aid in evaluating nanoparticle biodistribution and targeted drug delivery for enhanced cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Cancer Research
- Toxicology
Background:
- Nanotheranostics show promise for cancer treatment but face challenges in biodistribution, safety, and clinical translation.
- Traditional mammalian models have limitations including high cost, ethical concerns, and low throughput for nanotheranostics research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of zebrafish larvae cancer models in evaluating nanotheranostics.
- To highlight the role of zebrafish in assessing nanoparticle biodistribution and targeted drug delivery for cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing xenotransplant, genetic, and chemically induced zebrafish (Danio rerio) models for nanotheranostics evaluation.
- Assessing pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of various nanotheranostics in zebrafish.
Main Results:
- Zebrafish models provide a cost-effective, high-throughput alternative to mammalian models for nanotheranostics research.
- Various nanotheranostics (liposomes, NPs, exosomes, etc.) demonstrate potential in enhancing drug delivery and therapeutic efficacy in zebrafish cancer models.
Conclusions:
- Zebrafish larvae cancer models are valuable tools for overcoming nanotheranostics research limitations.
- These models facilitate the study of factors influencing nanoparticle biodistribution and targeted delivery, advancing nanomedicine for cancer treatment.
