The Role of Silver Nanoparticles in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer: Are There Any Perspectives for the Future?

Cancer is a fatal disease with a complex pathophysiology. Lack of specificity and cytotoxicity, as well as the multidrug resistance of traditional cancer chemotherapy, are the most common limitations that often cause treatment failure. Thus, in recent years, significant efforts have concentrated on the development of a modernistic field called nano-oncology, which provides the possibility of using nanoparticles (NPs) with the aim to detect, target, and treat cancer diseases. In comparison with conventional anticancer strategies, NPs provide a targeted approach, preventing undesirable side effects. What is more, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have shown good pharmacokinetics and precise targeting, as well as reduced multidrug resistance. It has been documented that, in cancer cells, NPs promote reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, activate ER (endoplasmic reticulum) stress, modulate various signaling pathways, etc. Furthermore, their ability to inhibit tumor growth in vivo has also been documented. In this paper, we have reviewed the role of silver NPs (AgNPs) in cancer nanomedicine, discussing numerous mechanisms by which they render anticancer properties under both in vitro and in vivo conditions, as well as their potential in the diagnosis of cancer.

Automated summary

Cancer is a complex and fatal disease. Traditional chemotherapy often fails due to lack of specificity, cytotoxicity, and multidrug resistance. As a result, nano-oncology has emerged as a modern field to utilize nanoparticles (NPs) for cancer detection, targeting, and treatment. NPs offer a targeted approach with reduced side effects and have shown good pharmacokinetics, precise targeting, and reduced multidrug resistance. They induce various anticancer mechanisms such as ROS production, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, ER stress activation, and modulation of signaling pathways. In addition, NPs inhibit tumor growth in vivo and have potential for cancer diagnosis.