Advances in the Use of Multifunctional Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles and Related Nanomaterials as Carriers for the Cancer Treatment

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been an unprecedented expansion in the field of nanomedicine with the development of new nanoparticles for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It is also known that the use of nanocarriers as drug delivery systems for therapeutic or imaging agents can improve the pharmacological properties of ordinarily used compounds in cancer diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE: Advances in the surface regulating of nanoparticles to accommodate targeting ligands turned nanocarriers attractive candidates for future impact involving targeted drug delivery. Although not targeted, several nanocarriers have been approved for clinical use and they are currently used to treat or diagnose various kinds of cancers. Furthermore, there are several formulations, which are now in various stages of clinical trials than also can combine with thermal treatment. CONCLUSION: This review examined some mesoporous silica nanoparticles and related nanomaterials and discussed the advantages of using nanocarriers in cancer therapy.