Some issues of nanometals applications in cancer treatment

Abstract

Nanotechnology and the use of innovative materials, such as nanoparticles, have created a new and effective approach to fight cancer. Several achievements in cancer therapy using metal nanoparticles and challenges facing them are presented in the current review. Cancer therapy requires teamwork with a multidisciplinary approach. It has different levels according to the type of cancer, including chemotherapy (induction, neoadjuvant, adjuvant, consolidation or maintenance chemotherapy), radiotherapy and surgical resection. Nanometals and nanodrugs may be used on the different levels of cancer therapy, especially in chemotherapy. Platinum (Pt)-based drugs are one group of the most effective drugs used for cancer chemotherapy. Gold nanoparticles are the other group of nanometals commonly used in cancer treatment. Although effectiveness of nanometals including gold-, silver-, and iron-based, has been investigated on different cancer cell lines and animal models both in vitro and in vivo, their effectiveness should also be explored from the viewpoints of evidence-based medicine.