Nanometals in cancer diagnosis and therapy

Abstract

Cancer is not a static disease that can be easily monitored and treated. It is a dynamic, time-dependent and environment-dependent pathology in which all molecular and cellular interactions are constantly reshaped in response to environmental stimuli. None of the current treatment approaches, which include the combination of tumour removal by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, are exempt of problems. Surgical removal has been the cornerstone of treatment for most types of cancer but it is limited to accessible tumours. Chemotherapy and radiation, which are used to eradicate the remaining cancer cells after tumour reduction, produce toxicity problems and can cause damage to the healthy tissues to different degrees. Against this backdrop, nanomedicine, with a variety of non-metallic and metallic nanomaterials, has emerged as a promising option in the fight against cancer. Here, we review some metallic nanomaterials and their applications in cancer nanotheragnosis. In particular, we focus on the latest studies carried out over the last five years related to gold, silver and iron nanomaterials' use in Cancer Imaging, Drug Delivery, Gene Therapy and Thermotherapy.