Trends of Biogenic Nanoparticles in Lung Cancer Theranostics

Abstract

Nanotechnology has revolutionized the field of medicinal sciences. Different approaches have emerged through time to successfully synthesize nanoparticles (NPs) that are safe, less toxic, and environmental friendly. Biogenic routes involving agents such as plants and microbes promote the circumstances to design NPs with low toxicity and unique properties. Lung cancer is one among the most fatal diseases that has high mortality rate globally. Diagnosis of cancer in late stages has often resulted in the decrease of survival opportunity of the patients. Further, nonspecific targeting of the drugs, poor solubility, bio-incompatibility, toxicity, extended accumulation, and side effects are the major limitations of conventional cancer therapy. A reliant and efficient theranostic candidate is required to overcome the shortcomings and to aid in better treatment of the patients. NPs are acknowledged as promising candidates in the medicinal field, yet a clear understanding of the nanoparticle mechanism and functions is necessary to identify them as potent inhibitory agents of lung cancer. Hence, the molecular aspects of lung cancer and the limitations of conventional cancer therapies, along with the role of biogenic NPs in lung cancer theranostics, their recent trends, the challenges they possess, and future aspects, are briefed in this chapter.