The Application of Nanoparticles in Cancer Research

Dear Colleagues,

Nanotherapeutics, which involve using nanoparticles to deliver therapeutic agents specifically to cancer cells, represent a promising approach in the fight against cancer. The scope of novel nanotherapeutic strategies to treat cancers is vast and continuously expanding. The potential for these strategies to improve cancer treatments’ precision, effectiveness, and safety is immense. As research and development efforts progress, we can expect to see more innovative approaches reaching clinical practice, ultimately offering new hope to cancer patients and transforming the landscape of cancer therapy. Advancements in targeting strategies can lead to nanoparticles that specifically home in on cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues, resulting in more effective and less toxic treatments. Customised nanoparticles, tailored to an individual's unique tumour characteristics, can improve treatment outcomes and reduce adverse effects. In addition to personalised therapies, combination therapies that integrate multiple therapeutic agents within a single nanoparticle delivery system can enhance treatment efficacy by simultaneously addressing various aspects of cancer. Similarly, nanoparticle-based gene editing and gene therapies can provide precise and targeted solutions for addressing genetic mutations that drive cancer progression as novel strategies in nanotherapeutics. All these methods address several unique approaches to cancer treatment, and this Special Issue will focus on the versatile features of the advances in nanotherapeutics in cancer treatment.

This Special Issue of MDPI Cancers on ‘The Application of Nanoparticles in Cancer Research’ aims to summarise relevant work and serve as a working tool for future developments in bioprocessing, nanotherapeutics and advances in cancer treatment using cell and gene therapies. For this purpose, we seek research contributions that address nanotherapeutics in cancer prognosis, treatment and further prevention. Possible topics include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Nanoparticle engineering.
• Targeted drug delivery.
• Functionalisation and ligand modification.
• Immunotherapy Enhancement: Nanoparticles can be designed to carry immunotherapeutic agents such as checkpoint inhibitors or vaccines.
• Personalised Medicine: The development of patient-specific nanoparticles is gaining momentum.
• Combination Therapy: Nanoparticles enable the delivery of multiple therapeutic agents, allowing for combination therapy. This can include chemotherapy drugs, targeted therapies and immunotherapeutic agents delivered simultaneously to enhance treatment efficacy.
• RNA and Gene Therapy: Nanoparticles can deliver RNA-based therapeutics, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) or messenger RNA (mRNA), to modulate gene expression in cancer cells. Gene therapy via nanoparticles can potentially address various genetic mutations in cancer.
• PH-Responsive Nanoparticles: pH-sensitive nanoparticles can release their cargo in the acidic tumour microenvironment, enhancing drug release and reducing off-target effects.
• Photothermal and Photodynamic Therapy: Nanoparticles can be used for photothermal and photodynamic therapy. Gold nanoparticles, for example, can absorb light energy and convert it into heat to selectively destroy cancer cells. Similarly, photosensitising nanoparticles can generate reactive oxygen species under light exposure to induce cell death.
• Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) Effect Optimization: Strategies to improve the EPR effect, which allows nanoparticles to accumulate in tumours. This includes using particle size, shape and surface properties to maximise nanoparticle retention in the tumour tissue.
• Biomimetic Nanoparticles: Biomimetic nanoparticles are designed to mimic the characteristics of cells or cellular components. They can evade the immune system, cross biological barriers and more effectively target specific cell types.
• Theranostic Nanoparticles: Theranostic nanoparticles combine therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities. They can deliver therapy while simultaneously imaging the tumour to monitor treatment responses.
• Nanoparticle-Drug Conjugates: Conjugating drugs directly to nanoparticles can improve drug stability and control release kinetics. This strategy can enhance drug delivery and reduce systemic toxicity.
• Smart Nanoparticles: Advanced nanoparticles can respond to specific cues within the body, such as temperature, enzyme activity or the presence of specific molecules, triggering drug release or altering their properties accordingly.
• Nanoparticle-Induced Immune Responses: Some nanoparticles can stimulate the immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells. This approach, known as immunogenic cell death, can be combined with other immunotherapies.
• Clinical Translation: Many nanotherapeutics are advancing into clinical trials and gaining approval for cancer treatment. This transition from the laboratory to clinical practice is a significant development.

We look forward to receiving your contributions to this Special Issue via the submission of scientific papers (original articles, review articles) and hope that we can cooperatively support our work in the future.

Dr. Sreejith Raveendran
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• targeted therapeutics
• combination therapeutics
• cell and gene therapies
• nanodrug delivery
• cancer drug discovery
• biosensors
• molecular therapeutics
• molecular imaging
• smart nanoparticles
• biomimetic nanoparticles