Nanoparticles: Attractive tools to treat colorectal cancer.

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite the notable advances achieved over the last few decades, CRC remains a hard-to-treat deadly disease in many patients. This is attributed mainly to chemo- and immuno-resistance, which frequently emerge soon after treatment with conventional therapeutics. Systemic treatments are also constrained by their many undesired and serious side effects. More recently, nanomedicine has emerged as an attractive modality that can overcome issues of therapeutic resistance, improper delivery, or suboptimal targeting of tumor cells. Many nanomaterials, having already been examined in pre-clinical and clinical studies, are now considered biocompatible and relatively safe. Indeed, around 50 nano-formulations have so far been approved as diagnostic and therapeutic agents in humans. Here, in this review, we describe a set of imperative nanoparticles (NPs) involved in diagnosing and treating CRC. In particular, we discuss the theragnostic roles of quantum dots, iron oxide NPs, Polylactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) NPs, dendrimer NPs, carbon nanotubes, liposomes, and gold NPs. We dissect the molecular and clinical evidence supporting the use of these NPs in CRC. We also highlight their implications in targeted drug delivery as well as their anti-tumorigenic properties and effects on the cardinal hallmarks of CRC. We conclude by highlighting the notion that nanomedicine is emerging as an attractive approach to address the unmet needs in managing several diseases, including CRC.

Metal-based nanoparticles: Promising tools for the management of cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. A search for more effective treatments of CVD is increasingly needed. Major advances in nanotechnology opened new avenues in CVD therapeutics. Owing to their special properties, iron oxide, gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs) could exert various effects in the management and treatment of CVD. The role of iron oxide NPs in the detection and identification of atherosclerotic plaques is receiving increased attention. Moreover, these NPs enhance targeted stem cell delivery, thereby potentiating the regenerative capacity at the injured sites. In addition to their antioxidative and antihypertrophic capacities, gold NPs have also been shown to be useful in the identification of plaques and recognition of inflammatory markers. Contrary to first reports suggestive of their cardio-vasculoprotective role, silver NPs now appear to exert negative effects on the cardiovascular system. Indeed, these NPs appear to negatively modulate inflammation and cholesterol uptake, both of which exacerbate atherosclerosis. Moreover, silver NPs may precipitate bradycardia, conduction block and sudden cardiac death. In this review, we dissect the cellular responses and toxicity profiles of these NPs from various perspectives including cellular and molecular ones.