Magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles as advanced polymeric scaffolds for efficient cancer chemotherapy: recent progress and challenges

Abstract

Magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MMS NPs) stand out as excellent options for targeted chemotherapy owing to their remarkable features, such as extensive surface area, substantial pore volume, adjustable and uniform pore size, facile scalability, and versatile surface chemistry. This review comprehensively explores the latest developments in MMS NPs, emphasizing their design, functionalization, and application in cancer therapy. Initially, we discuss the critical need for targeted and controlled drug delivery (DD) in oncology, highlighting the role of magnetic and MMs in addressing some challenges. Subsequently, the key features of MMS NPs, such as their high surface area, pore structure, and functionalization strategies, are examined for their impact on their DD performance for efficient cancer chemotherapy. The integration of chemotherapy methods such as photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy with MMS NPs is also explored, showcasing multifunctional platforms that combine imaging and therapeutic capabilities. Finally, we identify the current challenges and provide future perspectives for the development and clinical translation of MMS NPs, underscoring their potential to reshape CT paradigms.

Fig. 1. In MDT, anticancer drugs are loaded onto Fe₃O₄ NPs, injected into the bloodstream, and guided to the tumor site using an external magnetic field. Reproduced from ref. with permission from Wiley, Copyright 2016.

Fig. 2. Synthetic path for the preparation of the targeted MMNPs nanocarrier. Reproduced from ref. with permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2021.

Fig. 3. (A) TEM micrographs of (a–c) MMS NP-NH-SA and (d) MMS NPNCO-CA. (B) FESEM images of (e and f) MMS NP-NH-SA and (g and h) MMS NP-NCO-CA samples. Reproduced from ref. with permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2019.

Fig. 4. (A) Combination of diverse treatment procedures such as immunotherapy, magnetic therapy, biotherapy, sonodynamic therapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy with PTT and PDT (reproduced from ref. with permission from Wiley, Copyright 2021). (B) Mechanism of PDT: a photosensitizer absorbs photons, generating ROS (Type I) or singlet oxygen (Type II) to induce targeted cytotoxicity (reproduced from ref. with permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2019 (adapted and redrawn using the Corel Draw 5.6 software)).

Fig. 5. Illustration of the chemotherapeutic efficacy of NPs: NPs deliver drugs to tumor-associated receptors, effectively directing them to the tumor site for targeted therapy (reproduced from ref. with permission from Wiley, Copyright 2021 and redrawn using the Corel Draw 5.6 software).

Fig. 6. Schematic of the various approaches utilized to load drugs into MMS NPs based on solvent-free procedures and solvent-based procedures.