Nanomedicine Innovations for Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Abstract

Lung cancer remains a challenge within the realm of oncology. Characterized by late-stage diagnosis and resistance to conventional treatments, the currently available therapeutic strategies encompass surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and biological therapy; however, overall patient survival remains suboptimal. Nanotechnology has ushered in a new era by offering innovative nanomaterials with the potential to precisely target cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. It holds the potential to reshape the landscape of cancer management, offering hope for patients and clinicians. The assessment of these nanotechnologies follows a rigorous evaluation process similar to that applied to chemical drugs, which includes considerations of their pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicology, and clinical effectiveness. However, because of the characteristics of nanoparticles, standard toxicological tests require modifications to accommodate their unique characteristics. Effective therapeutic strategies demand a profound understanding of the disease and consideration of clinical outcomes, physicochemical attributes of nanomaterials, nanobiointeractions, nanotoxicity, and regulatory compliance to ensure patient safety. This review explores the promise of nanomedicine in lung cancer treatment by capitalizing on its unique physicochemical properties. We address the multifaceted challenges of lung cancer and its tumor microenvironment and provide an overview of recent developments in nanoplatforms for early diagnosis and treatment that can enhance patient outcomes and overall quality of life.

Keywords: diagnoses and treatment of lung cancer; lung cancer; nanocarriers; nanomedicine; nanotechnology; physiological barriers.

Figure 1

Percentage distribution of cancer incidence (A) and mortality (B) by different types of cancer worldwide according to Globocan 2022. (A) Global total cancer incidence (19,976,499 cases) highlighting breast cancer (11.5%), lung cancer (12.4%), and prostate (7.3%) as the most prevalent types. (B) Global total cancer mortality (9,743,832 deaths) with lung cancer (18.7%) representing the leading cause of cancer-related deaths followed by liver cancer (7.8%). Copyright 2022 Globocan; graphic production: Global Cancer Observatory (http://gco.iarc.fr).

Figure 2

Schematic representation of the various factors related to the development of lung cancer. (Created by authors using BioRender).

Figure 3

Summary illustration of the carcinogenic process triggered by endogenous and exogenous factors. (Created by authors using BioRender).

Figure 4

Summary of different properties and characteristics that make it possible to work with NPs, including size, materials, shape, and surface. (Created by authors using BioRender).

Figure 5

Interplay of size and surface functionality on the cellular uptake pathway of gold NPs. Reproduced with permission from ref (145). Copyright 2015 American Chemical Society.

Figure 6

Zone of the respiratory tract (Created by authors using BioRender).

Figure 7

Schematic representation of the formation of the alDNA sensing surface (A) and the detection mechanism of the t-DNA (B) and M-DNA (C) and CV measurements. Reproduced with permission from ref (187). Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V.

Figure 8

Schematic diagrams of the preparation process of the electrochemical biosensor for ctDNA detection and cyclic voltammetry (CV) responses. Insets (A) and (B) represent the cyclic voltammetry and electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy responses for each modification step of biosensor construction in 0.1 M KCl containing 5 mM K₃[Fe(CN)₆]/K₄[Fe(CN)₆]. (a) Bare glassy carbon electrode; (b) nitrogen-doped graphene–polyethylenimine–covalente organic framework–glassy carbon electrode; (c) gold nanoparticles/nitrogen-doped graphene–polyethylenimine–covalente organic framework–glassy carbon electrode; (d) capture probe/gold nanoparticles/nitrogen-doped graphene–polyethylenimine–covalente organic framework–glassy carbon electrode; (e) bovine serum albumin/capture probe/gold nanoparticles/nitrogen-doped graphene–polyethylenimine–covalente organic framework–glassy carbon electrode; (f) target probe/bovine serum albumin/capture probe/gold nanoparticles/nitrogen-doped graphene–polyethylenimine–covalente organic framework–glassy carbon electrode. Reproduced with permission from ref (167). Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V.

Figure 9

Plasma concentration time profile of Taxol, polymeric NPs, and biomimetic NPs in rats (10 mg/kg). Reproduced with permission from ref (221). Copyright 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.