Nanotechnology-Based Diagnostics and Therapy

Dear Colleagues,

Aim

Within the past two decades, significant advancements have been accomplished in the field of nanotechnology, which has cross-fertilized developments in biomedical sciences in one way or another. With the advent of novel applications of nanotechnology, a key sub-field of nanomedicine has emerged. In this sub-field, the importance of nanotechnology-based diagnostic strategies cannot be emphasized enough, with the view of increasing neurodegenerative, oncological, and other disease pathologies, in which debilitating symptoms already surface and are irreversible in the more advanced stages. This chapter aims to offer a distillation of the key nanotechnology-based diagnostics which have emerged and are currently being researched; specifically, in the fields of oncology, neurodegeneration, and virology.

Scope

A focus will be placed on outlining the categories of nanotechnology-based diagnostics (especially nanoparticle-based) that have been developed or are under research to identify key neurodegenerative, oncological, and virological diseases. Strategies, together with the working mechanisms of these technologies, will be discussed.

History

Since its advent as a breakthrough topic and innovation in the mid-20th century, nanotechnology has improved considerably, and is now readily incorporated into the medical field [6]. Current research, particularly in the field of nanotechnology, is investigating whether early diagnostic methods can potentially identify disease at nascent stages and even prevent it from progressing to a later, more serious state.

Summary

Current methods to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Parkinson’s disease (PD) are mainly based on clinical history, medical examinations, and imaging. Regardless, diagnosis solely becomes clear upon the disease progressing to a more advanced stage. Nanomaterial-based imaging agents have been formulated to detect misfolded proteins, a hallmark feature in NDDs, with the assistance of cutting-edge imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This is also the case for oncological diseases, whereby the late detection of cancerous tissues not only hinders the possibility of preventing disease progression but also reduces the quality of life of patients tremendously. Within the last five years, there have been instances of nanotechnology that encompass a wide range of metallic, lipid-based, and polymer-based functionalized nanoparticles, among others. They allow for the seamless detection of misfolded proteins or other biomarkers of disease at an early stage, as demonstrated in studies conducted in vitro and/or in vivo [1–8]. After formulation, the nanoparticles may aid in detection complementarily with imaging modalities and optical or electrochemical methods [9].

References

[1] Padmanabhan, P.; Palanivel, M.; Kumar, A.; Máthé, D.; Radda, G. K.; Lim, K.-L.; Gulyás, B., Nanotheranostic agents for neurodegenerative diseases. Emerging Topics in Life Sciences 2020, 4, (6), 645-675.

[2] Zeng, J.; Wu, J.; Li, M.; Wang, P., In vitro early detection of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease by Pittsburgh compound B-modified magnetic nanoparticles. Zhonghua yi xue za zhi 2017, 97, (41), 3258-3262.

[3] Lu, Y.-J.; Purwidyantri, A.; Liu, H.-L.; Wang, L.-W.; Shih, C.-Y.; Pijanowska, D. G.; Yang, C.-M., Photoelectrochemical Detection of β-amyloid Peptides by a TiO 2 Nanobrush Biosensor. IEEE Sensors Journal 2020, 20, (12), 6248-6255.

[4] Conti, E.; Gregori, M.; Radice, I.; Da Re, F.; Grana, D.; Re, F.; Salvati, E.; Masserini, M.; Ferrarese, C.; Zoia, C. P., Multifunctional liposomes interact with Abeta in human biological fluids: therapeutic implications for Alzheimer's disease. Neurochemistry international 2017, 108, 60-65.

[5] Ahlschwede, K. M.; Curran, G. L.; Rosenberg, J. T.; Grant, S. C.; Sarkar, G.; Jenkins, R. B.; Ramakrishnan, S.; Poduslo, J. F.; Kandimalla, K. K., Cationic carrier peptide enhances cerebrovascular targeting of nanoparticles in Alzheimer's disease brain. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine 2019, 16, 258-266.

[6] Agarwal, S.; Mishra, P.; Shivange, G.; Kodipelli, N.; Moros, M.; Jesús, M.; Anindya, R., Citrate-capped gold nanoparticles for the label-free detection of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-1. Analyst 2015, 140, (4), 1166-1173.

[7] Liu, X.-g.; Lu, S.; Liu, D.-q.; Zhang, L.; Zhang, L.-x.; Yu, X.-l.; Liu, R.-t., ScFv-conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI-based diagnosis in transgenic mouse models of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. Brain research 2019, 1707, 141-153.

[8] Zhang, J.; Zu, Y.; Dhanasekara, C. S.; Li, J.; Wu, D.; Fan, Z.; Wang, S., Detection and treatment of atherosclerosis using nanoparticles. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology 2017, 9, (1), e1412.

[9] Vaculovicova, M.; Michalek, P.; Krizkova, S.; Macka, M.; Adam, V., Nanotechnology-based analytical approaches for detection of viruses. Analytical Methods 2017, 9, (16), 2375-2391.

Dr. Parasuraman Padmanabhan
Prof. Dr. Balázs Gulyás
Dr. Domokos Máthé
Guest Editors

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