Nanomaterials in cancer: Reviewing the combination of hyperthermia and triggered chemotherapy.

Nanoparticle mediated hyperthermia has been explored as a method to increase cancer treatment efficacy by heating tumours inside-out. With that purpose, nanoparticles have been designed and their properties tailored to respond to external stimuli and convert the supplied energy into heat, therefore inducing damage to tumour cells. Moreover, the combination of hyperthermia with chemotherapy has been described as a more effective strategy due to the synergy between the high temperature and the drug's effects, also associated with a remote controlled and on-demand drug release. In this review, the methods behind nanoparticle mediated hyperthermia, namely material design, external stimuli response and energy conversion will be discussed and critically analysed. We will address the most relevant studies on hyperthermia and temperature triggered drug release for cancer treatment. Finally, the advantages, difficulties and challenges of this therapeutic strategy will be discussed, while giving insight for future developments.

Magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a theranostic approach for breast cancer: Loading and release of the poorly soluble drug exemestane.

Exemestane has a limited aqueous solubility that leads to a very high variability in absorption when administrated orally. It is crucial to develop strategies to increase the solubility and bioavailability of this drug. To overcome these issues, the aim of the present work was the development of magnetic silica mesoporous nanoparticles (IOMSNs) to carry and release exemestane. Furthermore, these nanoparticles could be also used as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) contrast agents for treatment monitorization and tumor detection. MRI analysis showed that IOMSNs present a concentration dependent contrast effect, revealing their potential for MRI applications. Also, IOMSNs present a very good polydispersity (0.224) and nanometric range size (137.2 nm). It was confirmed that the nucleus is composed by magnetite and the silica coating presents tubes with MCM-41-like hexagonal structure. Both iron oxide nanoparticles and iron oxide mesoporous silica nanoparticles were not toxic in cell culture for 24 h. Exemestane was successful released for 72 h following a typical sustained release pattern, achieving a very high loading capacity (37.7%) and in vitro release of 98.8%. Taking into account the results it is possible to conclude that IOMSNs have a high potential to be used as theranostic for intravenous breast cancer treatment with exemestane.

Enhanced biosafety of silica coated gadolinium based nanoparticles.

One of the most important and novel approaches of biomedical engineering is the development of new, effective and non-invasive medical diagnosis abilities, and treatments that have such requirements as advanced technologies for tumor imaging. Gadolinium (Gd) compounds can be used as MRI contrast agents, however the release of Gd3+ ions presents some adverse side effects such as renal failure, pancreatitis or local necrosis. The main aim of the work was the development and optimization of Gadolinium based nanoparticles coated with silica to be used as bioimaging agent. Gd based nanoparticles were prepared through a precipitation method and afterwards, these nanoparticles were covered with silica, using Stöber method with ammonia and functionalized with 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). Results showed that nanoparticles were homogeneous regarding chemical composition, silica layer thickness, total size and morphology. Also, silica coating was successfully not degraded after 4 weeks at pH 5.5, 6.0 and 7.4, contrary to GdOHCO3 nanoparticles that degraded. Regarding the in vitro cell tests, very good cell proliferation and viability were observed. In conclusion, the results showed that Gd based nanoparticles coated with silica for imaging applications were successfully obtained under a well-controlled method. Furthermore, silica coating may enhance magnetic nanoparticles biosafety because it avoids GdOHCO3 degradation into harmful products (such as Gd3+ ions) at physiological conditions.