Advanced mesoporous silica nanocarriers in cancer theranostics and gene editing applications

• Published in: Journal of controlled release Vol. 337; pp. 193 - 211
• Main Authors: Živojević, Kristina, Mladenović, Minja, Djisalov, Mila, Mundzic, Mirjana, Ruiz-Hernandez, Eduardo, Gadjanski, Ivana, Knežević, Nikola Ž.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 10.09.2021
• Subjects: Cancer imaging; cancer therapy; CRISPR-Cas systems; Gene editing; genes; Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs); nanocarriers; Nanotheranostics; porous media; precision medicine; silica; Targeted cancer therapy; Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs); Nanotheranostics; Targeted cancer therapy; Cancer imaging; Gene editing
• ISSN: 0168-3659; 1873-4995; 1873-4995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.07.029

Targeted nanomaterials for cancer theranostics have been the subject of an expanding volume of research studies in recent years. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are particularly attractive for such applications due to possibilities to synthesize nanoparticles (NPs) of different morphologies, pore diameters and pore arrangements, large surface areas and various options for surface functionalization. Functionalization of MSNs with different organic and inorganic molecules, polymers, surface-attachment of other NPs, loading and entrapping cargo molecules with on-desire release capabilities, lead to seemingly endless prospects for designing advanced nanoconstructs exerting multiple functions, such as simultaneous cancer-targeting, imaging and therapy. Describing composition and multifunctional capabilities of these advanced nanoassemblies for targeted therapy (passive, ligand-functionalized MSNs, stimuli-responsive therapy), including one or more modalities for imaging of tumors, is the subject of this review article, along with an overview of developments within a novel and attractive research trend, comprising the use of MSNs for CRISPR/Cas9 systems delivery and gene editing in cancer. Such advanced nanconstructs exhibit high potential for applications in image-guided therapies and the development of personalized cancer treatment. Advanced nanoarchitectures involving mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) for simultaneous cancer targeting, therapy and imaging are overviewed. In addition, recent MSN-based strategies for cancer therapy through gene editing are reviewed, considering the significance of the topic, spotlighted by the 2020 Nobel prize in Chemistry “for the development of a method for genome editing” awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna. [Display omitted]