Bio-Functional Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Nano-Structured Carriers in Cancer Theranostic Review on Recent Advancements

Background Cancer is a life-threatening disease worldwide, but proper treatment has not yet been developed. Many therapies are available to treat cancer disorders, like chemotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy. Chemotherapy often relies on a combination of harmful, highly toxic platinum-based compounds. Also, there are chances of poor distribution of chemotherapeutic agents and cytotoxic to most cells which leads to damage to other healthy cells, also, there are chances of resistance.Objective The main objective of this study is the development of mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles are recognized as carriers with high drug loading capacity and significant functionalized surface area for targeted drug delivery. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles have shape, particle size, pore volume, higher surface area, and the possibility of surface modification. Hence results in thermally and chemically stable nanomaterials. For targeted drug delivery, MSN is conjugated with a variety of ligands, including monoclonal antibodies, hyaluronic acid, transferrin, folic acid, etc., that have a particular affinity for the receptors that are overexpressed on the surface of malignant cells, so using this nanocarrier reducing the dose related toxicity of normal cell.Methods This review focuses on different methods for synthesizing mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Sol-gel method and modified stobber method were used for the synthesis of this nanoparticle.Results Successfully synthesized mesoporous silica nanoparticle with particle size around 50-200 nm and drug loading efficiency was found to be around 71%.Conclusion Mesoporous silica nanoparticles are great carriers for intracellular and targeted drug delivery systems.