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Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy: 3rd...
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Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy: 3rd Edition

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Biology and Medicines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2025) | Viewed by 11176

Special Issue Editor

Dr. James C. L. Chow

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Guest Editor
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1P5, Canada
Interests: artificial intelligence; machine learning; computer simulation; high-performance computing; cloud computing; big data; radiotherapy; health care; nanotechnology; image processing; radiation treatment planning; chatbot; radiation dosimetry; DNA damage; radiobiological modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleague，

Following the tremendous success of the second edition of the Special Issue “Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy II,” in which a total of 11 papers were published (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nanomaterials/special_issues/Biomedical_Imaging_II), a third edition is being launched.

Our first and second successful Special Issues, entitled “Application of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy”, received a collection of excellent works on applying nanomaterials and nanotechnology in biomedical imaging and cancer therapy. We recognized that it was timely and necessary to have a platform to share researchers’ studies in order to keep pace with the recent technological changes in nanomaterials and nanotechnology. Therefore, we are pleased to invite you to submit your research works focusing on studies using nanomaterials as enhancers in targeted therapy and precise imaging. This includes, but is not limited to, those presenting developments in imaging agents and enhancers in cancer therapy, experimental results from cellular, preclinical, and clinical studies, and computational methods/simulations of the interaction between the nanomaterials and cell/DNA targets. This Special Issue aims to continue our previous Special Issue and welcomes original research articles, technical reports, and reviews.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. James C. L. Chow
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 short 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. Nanomaterials 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 2400 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.

Keywords

  • nanomaterials
  • biomedical imaging
  • cancer therapy
  • nanoparticles
  • targeted drug delivery
  • photothermal therapy
  • photodynamic therapy
  • quantum dots
  • magnetic nanoparticles
  • theranostics

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 5368 KB  
Article
Biogenic ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized by B. licheniformis: A Selective Cytotoxicity Against NG-108 Glioblastoma Cells
by Alberto Bacilio Quispe Cohaila, Gabriela de Lourdes Fora Quispe, César Julio Cáceda Quiroz, Roxana Mamani Anccasi, Telmo Agustín Mejía García, Rocío María Tamayo Calderón, Francisco Gamarra Gómez and Elisban Juani Sacari Sacari
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(17), 1338; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15171338 - 31 Aug 2025
Viewed by 226
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains the most aggressive primary brain tumor with median survival of 14.6 months, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we report the biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Bacillus licheniformis strain TT14s isolated from mining environments and demonstrate [...] Read more.
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains the most aggressive primary brain tumor with median survival of 14.6 months, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we report the biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using Bacillus licheniformis strain TT14s isolated from mining environments and demonstrate their selective anti-glioma efficacy. ZnO NPs exhibited hexagonal wurtzite structure (crystallite size: 15.48 nm) with spherical morphology (19.37 ± 5.28 nm diameter) as confirmed by XRD, HRTEM, and comprehensive physicochemical characterization. Colloidal stability analysis revealed an isoelectric point at pH 7.46, ensuring optimal dispersion in biological media. Cytotoxicity evaluation revealed remarkable selectivity: at 100 μg/mL, ZnO NPs reduced NG-108 glioblastoma cell viability to 36.07 ± 1.89% within 1 h while maintaining 78.9 ± 0.94% viability in primary retinal cells. The selective cytotoxicity was attributed to the interplay of convergent mechanisms acting under dark conditions, including defect-mediated ROS generation supported by photoluminescence analysis revealing a characteristic oxygen vacancy emission at 550 nm, pH-dependent dissolution enhanced in the acidic tumor microenvironment, and preferential cellular uptake by rapidly proliferating cancer cells with compromised antioxidant defenses. Time-course analysis demonstrated concentration-dependent effects with therapeutic windows favoring normal cell preservation. The intrinsic cytotoxic activity under dark laboratory conditions eliminates the need for external activation, providing practical advantages for therapeutic applications. These findings establish ZnO NPs as promising candidates for targeted glioblastoma therapy, warranting further in vivo validation and mechanistic elucidation for clinical translation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy: 3rd Edition)
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13 pages, 1824 KB  
Article
Reactive Oxygen Species Yield near Gold Nanoparticles Under Ultrahigh-Dose-Rate Electron Beams: A Monte Carlo Study
by Chloe Doen Kim and James C. L. Chow
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(17), 1303; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15171303 - 23 Aug 2025
Viewed by 646
Abstract
Ultrahigh dose rate (UHDR) radiotherapy, also known as FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT), has shown potential for increasing tumor control while sparing normal tissue. In parallel, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been extensively explored as radiosensitizers due to their high atomic number and ability to enhance [...] Read more.
Ultrahigh dose rate (UHDR) radiotherapy, also known as FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT), has shown potential for increasing tumor control while sparing normal tissue. In parallel, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been extensively explored as radiosensitizers due to their high atomic number and ability to enhance the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through water radiolysis. In this study, we investigate the synergistic effects of UHDR electron beams and GNP-mediated radiosensitization using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations based on the Geant4-DNA code. A spherical water phantom with embedded GNPs of varying sizes (5–100 nm) was irradiated using pulsed electron beams (100 keV and 1 MeV) at dose rates of 60, 100, and 150 Gy/s. The chemical yield of ROS near the GNPs was quantified and compared to an equivalent water nanoparticle model, and the yield enhancement factor (YEF) was used to evaluate radiosensitization. Results demonstrated that YEF increased with smaller GNP sizes and at lower UHDR, particularly for 1 MeV electrons. A maximum YEF of 1.25 was observed at 30 nm from the GNP surface for 5 nm particles at 60 Gy/s. The elevated ROS concentration near GNPs under FLASH conditions is expected to intensify DNA damage, especially double-strand breaks, due to increased hydroxyl radical interactions within nanometric distances of critical biomolecular targets. These findings highlight the significance of nanoparticle size and beam parameters in optimizing ROS production for FLASH-RT. The results provide a computational basis for future experimental investigations into the combined use of GNPs and UHDR beams in nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy: 3rd Edition)
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14 pages, 1338 KB  
Article
Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Carbon-Encapsulated Iron Nanoparticles Navigated to Integrin Alfa V Beta 3 Receptors in Rat Glioma
by Agnieszka Stawarska, Magdalena Bamburowicz-Klimkowska, Wojciech Szeszkowski and Ireneusz Piotr Grudzinski
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(16), 1277; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15161277 - 18 Aug 2025
Viewed by 443
Abstract
Overexpression of αvβ3 integrin is found in a diverse group of tumors originating from glial cells in the brain, making this transmembrane receptor a promising biomarker for molecular MRI diagnosis. In the study, we conjugated a monoclonal antibody against the β3 subunit (CD61) [...] Read more.
Overexpression of αvβ3 integrin is found in a diverse group of tumors originating from glial cells in the brain, making this transmembrane receptor a promising biomarker for molecular MRI diagnosis. In the study, we conjugated a monoclonal antibody against the β3 subunit (CD61) of the αvβ3 integrin receptor with carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles to yield Fe@C-(CH2)2-CONH-anti-CD61 bioconjugates that were used in dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DSC-MRI). Wistar rats bearing C6 gliomas were injected as a single bolus (0.5 mL) through the tail vain with a suspension of Fe@C-(CH2)2-CONH-anti-CD61 nanoparticles (200 μg mL−1) and the animals were imaged using the T2*-weighted echo planar imaging (T2* EPI) technique. Results showed that intravenously infused nanoparticles targeting αvβ3 integrin receptors provide strong contrast in rat glioma tissues. No such effects were observed in other rat organs, although some post-contrast effects were also noted in the liver and kidney. The study shows that the as-developed nanoparticles decorated with anti-CD61 monoclonal antibodies might be considered as a novel contrast candidate for noninvasive DSC-MRI diagnosis in CD61-positive gliomas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy: 3rd Edition)
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11 pages, 2896 KB  
Article
Hydrophobic Silicon Quantum Dots for Potential Imaging of Tear Film Lipid Layer
by Sidra Sarwat, Fiona Stapleton, Mark D. P. Willcox, Peter B. O’Mara and Maitreyee Roy
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(7), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15070552 - 4 Apr 2025
Viewed by 1444
Abstract
The tear film, consisting of the aqueous and lipid layers, maintains the homeostasis of the ocular surface; therefore, when disturbed, it can cause dry eye, which affects millions of people worldwide. Understanding the dynamics of the tear film layers is essential for developing [...] Read more.
The tear film, consisting of the aqueous and lipid layers, maintains the homeostasis of the ocular surface; therefore, when disturbed, it can cause dry eye, which affects millions of people worldwide. Understanding the dynamics of the tear film layers is essential for developing efficient drug delivery systems for dry eye disease. Quantum dots (QDs) offer the potential for real-time monitoring of tear film and evaluating its dynamics. Hydrophilic silicon QDs (Si-QDs) have already been optimised to image the aqueous layer of the tear film. This study was conducted to optimise hydrophobic Si-QDs to image the lipid layer of the tear film. Si-QDs were synthesised in solution and characterised by transmission electron microscope and spectrofluorophotometry. The fluorescence emission of Si-QDs was monitored in vitro when mixed with artificial tears. The cytotoxicity was assessed in cultured human corneal epithelial cells using an MTT assay following 24 h of exposure. Si-QDs were 2.65 ± 0.35 nm in size and were non-toxic at <16 µg/mL. Si-QDs emitted stable green fluorescence for 20 min but demonstrated aggregation at higher concentrations. These findings highlight the potential of hydrophobic Si-QDs as a biomarker for the real-time imaging of the tear film lipid layer. However, further research on surface functionalisation and preclinical evaluations are recommended for enhanced solubility and biocompatibility in the ocular surface. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy: 3rd Edition)
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18 pages, 7853 KB  
Article
Magnetically Controlled Transport of Nanoparticles in Solid Tumor Tissues and Porous Media Using a Tumor-on-a-Chip Format
by Tatiana Zimina, Nikita Sitkov, Ksenia Brusina, Viacheslav Fedorov, Natalia Mikhailova, Dmitriy Testov, Kamil Gareev, Konstantin Samochernykh, Stephanie Combs and Maxim Shevtsov
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(24), 2030; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14242030 - 17 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1169
Abstract
This study addresses issues in developing spatially controlled magnetic fields for particle guidance, synthesizing biocompatible and chemically stable MNPs and enhancing their specificity to pathological cells through chemical modifications, developing personalized adjustments, and highlighting the potential of tumor-on-a-chip systems, which can simulate tissue [...] Read more.
This study addresses issues in developing spatially controlled magnetic fields for particle guidance, synthesizing biocompatible and chemically stable MNPs and enhancing their specificity to pathological cells through chemical modifications, developing personalized adjustments, and highlighting the potential of tumor-on-a-chip systems, which can simulate tissue environments and assess drug efficacy and dosage in a controlled setting. The research focused on two MNP types, uncoated magnetite nanoparticles (mMNPs) and carboxymethyl dextran coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles (CD-SPIONs), and evaluated their transport properties in microfluidic systems and porous media. The original uncoated mMNPs of bimodal size distribution and the narrow size distribution of the fractions (23 nm and 106 nm by radii) were demonstrated to agglomerate in magnetically driven microfluidic flow, forming a stable stationary web consisting of magnetic fibers within 30 min. CD-SPIONs were demonstrated to migrate in agar gel with the mean pore size equal to or slightly higher than the particle size. The migration velocity was inversely proportional to the size of particles. No compression of the gel was observed under the magnetic field gradient of 40 T/m. In the brain tissue, particles of sizes 220, 350, 820 nm were not penetrating the tissue, while the compression of tissue was observed. The particles of 95 nm size penetrated the tissue at the edge of the sample, and no compression was observed. For all particles, movement through capillary vessels was observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy: 3rd Edition)
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19 pages, 3079 KB  
Article
Enhancement of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer-Specific Induction of Cell Death by Silver Nanoparticles by Combined Treatment with Proteotoxic Stress Response Inhibitors
by Christina M. Snyder, Beatriz Mateo, Khushbu Patel, Cale D. Fahrenholtz, Monica M. Rohde, Richard Carpenter and Ravi N. Singh
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(19), 1564; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14191564 - 27 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2071
Abstract
Metal nanoparticles have been tested for therapeutic and imaging applications in pre-clinical models of cancer, but fears of toxicity have limited their translation. An emerging concept in nanomedicine is to exploit the inherent drug-like properties of unmodified nanomaterials for cancer therapy. To be [...] Read more.
Metal nanoparticles have been tested for therapeutic and imaging applications in pre-clinical models of cancer, but fears of toxicity have limited their translation. An emerging concept in nanomedicine is to exploit the inherent drug-like properties of unmodified nanomaterials for cancer therapy. To be useful clinically, there must be a window between the toxicity of the nanomaterial to cancer and toxicity to normal cells. This necessitates identification of specific vulnerabilities in cancers that can be targeted using nanomaterials without inducing off-target toxicity. Previous studies point to proteotoxic stress as a driver of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) toxicity. Two key cell stress responses involved in mitigating proteotoxicity are the heat shock response (HSR) and the integrated stress response (ISR). Here, we examine the role that these stress responses play in AgNP-induced cytotoxicity in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and immortalized mammary epithelial cells. Furthermore, we investigate HSR and ISR inhibitors as potential drug partners to increase the anti-cancer efficacy of AgNPs without increasing off-target toxicity. We showed that AgNPs did not strongly induce the HSR at a transcriptional level, but instead decreased expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) at the protein level, possibly due to degradation in AgNP-treated TNBC cells. We further showed that the HSR inhibitor, KRIBB11, synergized with AgNPs in TNBC cells, but also increased off-target toxicity in immortalized mammary epithelial cells. In contrast, we found that salubrinal, a drug that can sustain pro-death ISR signaling, enhanced AgNP-induced cell death in TNBC cells without increasing toxicity in immortalized mammary epithelial cells. Subsequent co-culture studies demonstrated that AgNPs in combination with salubrinal selectively eliminated TNBCs without affecting immortalized mammary epithelial cells grown in the same well. Our findings provide additional support for proteotoxic stress as a mechanism by which AgNPs selectively kill TNBCs and will help guide future efforts to identify drug partners that would be beneficial for use with AgNPs for cancer therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy: 3rd Edition)
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16 pages, 4847 KB  
Article
Activity of Hydrophilic, Biocompatible, Fluorescent, Organic Nanoparticles Functionalized with Purpurin-18 in Photodynamic Therapy for Colorectal Cancer
by Rayan Chkair, Justine Couvez, Frédérique Brégier, Mona Diab-Assaf, Vincent Sol, Mireille Blanchard-Desce, Bertrand Liagre and Guillaume Chemin
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(19), 1557; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14191557 - 26 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1796
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically approved, non-invasive therapy currently used for several solid tumors, triggering cell death through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the hydrophobic nature of most of the photosensitizers used, such as chlorins, limits the overall effectiveness [...] Read more.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically approved, non-invasive therapy currently used for several solid tumors, triggering cell death through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the hydrophobic nature of most of the photosensitizers used, such as chlorins, limits the overall effectiveness of PDT. To address this limitation, the use of nanocarriers seems to be a powerful approach. From this perspective, we have recently developed water-soluble and biocompatible, fluorescent, organic nanoparticles (FONPs) functionalized with purpurin-18 and its derivative, chlorin p6 (Cp6), as new PDT agents. In this study, we aimed to investigate the induced cell death mechanism mediated by these functionalized nanoparticles after PDT photoactivation. Our results show strong phototoxic effects of the FONPs[Cp6], mediated by intracellular ROS generation, and subcellular localization in HCT116 and HT-29 human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Additionally, we proved that, post-PDT, the FONPs[Cp6] induce apoptosis via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway, as shown by the significant upregulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, the activation of caspases 9, 3, and 7, leading poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP-1) cleavage, and DNA fragmentation. Our work demonstrates the photodynamic activity of these nanoparticles, making them promising candidates for the PDT treatment of CRC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy: 3rd Edition)
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Review

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20 pages, 8292 KB  
Review
Monte Carlo Simulations in Nanomedicine: Advancing Cancer Imaging and Therapy
by James C. L. Chow
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(2), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15020117 - 15 Jan 2025
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2357
Abstract
Monte Carlo (MC) simulations have become important in advancing nanoparticle (NP)-based applications for cancer imaging and therapy. This review explores the critical role of MC simulations in modeling complex biological interactions, optimizing NP designs, and enhancing the precision of therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. [...] Read more.
Monte Carlo (MC) simulations have become important in advancing nanoparticle (NP)-based applications for cancer imaging and therapy. This review explores the critical role of MC simulations in modeling complex biological interactions, optimizing NP designs, and enhancing the precision of therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. Key findings highlight the ability of MC simulations to predict NP bio-distribution, radiation dosimetry, and treatment efficacy, providing a robust framework for addressing the stochastic nature of biological systems. Despite their contributions, MC simulations face challenges such as modeling biological complexity, computational demands, and the scarcity of reliable nanoscale data. However, emerging technologies, including hybrid modeling approaches, high-performance computing, and quantum simulation, are poised to overcome these limitations. Furthermore, novel advancements such as FLASH radiotherapy, multifunctional NPs, and patient-specific data integration are expanding the capabilities and clinical relevance of MC simulations. This topical review underscores the transformative potential of MC simulations in bridging fundamental research and clinical translation. By facilitating personalized nanomedicine and streamlining regulatory and clinical trial processes, MC simulations offer a pathway toward more effective, tailored, and accessible cancer treatments. The continued evolution of simulation techniques, driven by interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation, ensures that MC simulations will remain at the forefront of nanomedicine’s progress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Imaging and Cancer Therapy: 3rd Edition)
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