Mesoporous silica nanoparticles: a versatile carrier platform in lung cancer management

Abstract

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) are inorganic nanoparticles that have been comprehensively investigated and are intended to deliver therapeutic agents. MSNPs have revolutionized the therapy for various conditions, especially cancer and infectious diseases. In this article, the viability of MSNPs' administration for lung cancer therapy has been reviewed. However, certain challenges lay ahead in the successful translation such as toxicology, immunology, large-scale production, and regulatory matters have made it extremely difficult to translate such discoveries from the bench to the bedside. This review highlights recent developments, characteristics, mechanism of action and customization for targeted delivery. This review also covers the most recent data that sheds light on MSNPs' extraordinary therapeutic potential in fighting lung cancer as well as future hurdles.

Article highlights

Background

• Lung cancer (LC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide.

• It has been estimated that 19.5 million novel tumor instances and 6.09 million fatalities happened in 2022.

• The conventional therapies are not successful in the treatment of LC, because of the resistance of LC cells against the usual chemotherapeutic agents.

• There is an urgent need for the development of innovative illness treatment techniques.

• This paper highlights the potential of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) in LC.

Molecular mechanism of LC & inhibitory pathways

• LC is characterized by a neoplastic metamorphosis of epithelial cells of the lungs.

• LC is not only induced by mutations, but molecular alterations of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene are also the prevalent inducer of LC.

• The article highlights the mechanism and various inhibitory pathways in LC.

Diagnosis & treatment methods for LC

• The article highlights various diagnosis strategies including physical evaluation, analysis of blood and urine samples, x-ray, MRI, computed tomography scan, positron emission tomography (PET) scan, etc.

• The multifactorial treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and immunotherapy for LC have also been discussed in the article.

• Two potential targeting strategies, i.e., passive targeting and active targeting are employed as a potential approach to anticancer therapy.

Emergence of nanomaterials & role of MSNPs in LC

• MSNPs have revolutionized the therapy for various conditions, especially cancer and infectious diseases.

• MSNPs are excellent and unique carriers for drug delivery and cancer therapy owing to their suitable features.

• The surface functionalization of MSNPs is extremely crucial to increase their effectiveness in vivo while lowering their toxicity.

• MSNPs are typically employed in pulmonary drug-delivery systems through the process of passive diffusion.

Advantages & disadvantages of MSNPs

• MSNPs possess an ordered structure which is very appropriate for packing high amounts of drug moieties.

• The toxicology of MSNPs toward specific cell lines may be due to the presence of surface silanolates and/or the formation of silica reactive oxygen species.

• The structural modifications of MSNPs minimize their toxicities and influence the accumulation and biodegradation rate.

Conclusion & Future Perspective

• MSNPs have demonstrated significant benefits over other nanocarriers in terms of anticancer drug delivery.

• Employing MSNPs and the EPR effect, neoteric therapeutic strategies can be used to alleviate LC.

• Prior to clinical trials, it is also essential to standardize any exterior functionalization approaches.

Keywords: :

• drug delivery
• inhibitory pathways
• lung cancer
• mesoporous silica nanoparticles
• molecular mechanism

Author contributions

S Dhingra: conceptualization; S Goyal: methodology; S Goyal, D Thirumal: writing – original draft; P Sharma: formal analysis, G Kaur: review and resources, N Mittal: supervision and visualization. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Financial disclosure

The authors have no financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.