The State of the Art of Theranostic Nanomaterials for Lung, Breast, and Prostate Cancers.

The synthesis and engineering of nanomaterials offer more robust systems for the treatment of cancer, with technologies that combine therapy with imaging diagnostic tools in the so-called nanotheranostics. Among the most studied systems, there are quantum dots, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, dendrimers, and gold nanoparticles. Most of the advantages of nanomaterials over the classic anticancer therapies come from their optimal size, which prevents the elimination by the kidneys and enhances their permeation in the tumor due to the abnormal blood vessels present in cancer tissues. Furthermore, the drug delivery and the contrast efficiency for imaging are enhanced, especially due to the increased surface area and the selective accumulation in the desired tissues. This property leads to the reduced drug dose necessary to exert the desired effect and for a longer action within the tumor. Finally, they are made so that there is no degradation into toxic byproducts and have a lower immune response triggering. In this article, we intend to review and discuss the state-of-the-art regarding the use of nanomaterials as therapeutic and diagnostic tools for lung, breast, and prostate cancer, as they are among the most prevalent worldwide.

Species-Specific in vitro and in vivo Evaluation of Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles Stabilized with Gum Arabic Protein.

INTRODUCTION: We report, herein, in vitro, and in vivo toxicity evaluation of silver nanoparticles stabilized with gum arabic protein (AgNP-GP) in Daphnia similis, Danio rerio embryos and in Sprague Dawley rats. PURPOSE: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate in vitro and in vivo toxicity of silver nanoparticles stabilized with gum arabic protein (AgNP-GP), in multispecies due to the recognition that toxicity evaluations beyond a single species reflect the environmental realism. In the present study, AgNP-GP was synthesized through the reduction of silver salt using the tri-alanine-phosphine peptide (commonly referred to as "Katti Peptide") and stabilized using gum arabic protein. METHODS: In vitro cytotoxicity tests were performed according to ISO 10993-5 protocols to assess cytotoxicity index (IC50) values. Acute ecotoxicity (EC50) studies were performed using Daphnia similis, according to the ABNT NBR 15088 protocols. In vivo toxicity also included evaluation of acute embryotoxicity using Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos following the OECD No. 236 guidelines. We also used Sprague Dawley rats to assess the toxicity of AgNP-GP in doses from 2.5 to 10.0 mg kg-1 body weight. RESULTS: AgNP-GP nanoparticles were characterized through UV (405 nm), core size (20±5 nm through TEM), hydrodynamic size (70-80 nm), Zeta (ζ) potential (- 26 mV) using DLS and Powder X ray diffraction (PXRD) and EDS. PXRD showed pattern consistent with the Ag (1 1 1) peak. EC50 in Daphnia similis was 4.40 (3.59-5.40) µg L-1. In the zebrafish species, LC50 was 177 µg L-1. Oral administration of AgNP-GP in Sprague Dawley rats for a period of 28 days revealed no adverse effects in doses of up to 10.0 mg kg-1 b.w. in both male and female animals. CONCLUSION: The non-toxicity of AgNP-GP in rats offers a myriad of applications of AgNP-GP in health and hygiene for use as antibiotics, antimicrobial and antifungal agents.