Advances in Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Tumor Targeted Drug Delivery and Theranostics

In recent years, nanocarriers have played increasingly significant roles in cancer therapy. Among various nanoplatforms, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been given serious attention due to their good colloidal stablity, tunable pore sizes, extensive drug loading capacity and easily modified surface. In this review, functionalized MSNs are introduced as an efficient nanocarrier for cancer treatment. First, MSN preparation strategies are generally introduced. Next, passive and active tumor targeting methods for the functionalization of MSNs are reviewed. Then, several types of stimuli-responsive strategies for on-demand drug release, a wide variety of designs integrating with magnetic resonance imaging agents, optical imaging agents, and positron emission tomography imaging agents, etc. for theranostic purpose are summarized. A discussion relating to the future perspectives of MSNs for clinical translocation is also included in this review.