Nanowires are one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures. They have diameters in the nanometer range and lengths that extend into the micrometer scale. Their high aspect ratios and quantum confinement effects give them unique electrical, optical, and mechanical properties, making them versatile for applications in electronics, energy, and biomedicine.
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In biomedicine, nanowires show promise in cancer detection and therapy. Their high surface-to-volume ratio enhances sensitivity and specificity for biosensing, aiding in early cancer diagnosis. Additionally, modified with biomolecules or drugs, nanowires can enable targeted drug delivery for localized cancer treatment, offering potential advancements in oncology.1
Nanowire Applications in Cancer Diagnostics
Nanowires have significantly advanced cancer diagnostics through their integration into recognition devices. Their excellent electrical conductivity allows for the detection of cancer biomarkers at very low concentrations.
Functionalized nanowires can selectively bind to target molecules, such as proteins or nucleic acids linked to cancer, ensuring accurate detection and diagnosis. For example, gold nanowires functionalized with antibodies targeting HER2-positive breast cancer cells improve both detection and therapy. 2
In imaging applications, nanowires enhance the resolution and contrast of cancer visualization techniques. Functionalized nanowires, used in fluorescence microscopy with antibodies targeting tumor markers, improve the clarity of cancerous tissue identification compared to traditional methods.3
Nanowire-based lab-on-a-chip technologies offer a compact, real-time platform for monitoring cancer biomarkers. A study in Environmental Research highlighted the benefits of these technologies, including miniaturization, cost-effectiveness, speed, sensitivity, and multiplexing. These devices enable rapid, precise results in point-of-care settings, helping monitor disease progression and improve cancer treatment.4
Nanowire-Based Approaches in Cancer Therapy
Nanowires are emerging as a valuable tool in cancer therapy due to their ability to be customized for various therapeutic applications. They provide new solutions for targeted drug delivery, biomarker detection, combination therapies, imaging, hyperthermia treatment, and gene therapy.
Targeted Drug Delivery: Functionalized nanowires can deliver drugs directly to cancer cells, improving treatment precision while minimizing side effects. Their ability to carry and release drugs in a controlled manner allows for more effective treatment and reduces harm to healthy tissues.4
Hyperthermia Therapy: Nanowires can generate localized heat when activated by electromagnetic fields, making them effective in targeting and destroying cancer cells with minimal damage to surrounding tissues. This process disrupts cancer cells, making them more vulnerable to death. This approach has shown particular promise for treating hard-to-reach or resistant cancers.
A recent paper published in the Nanoscale showed the effectiveness of manganese iron oxide nanoparticle (MIONP)-based magneto-chemotherapy in a 3D breast cancer model. The study demonstrated significant anticancer activity and reduced cell viability, with MIONP-mediated treatment proving most effective under an alternating magnetic field.5
Gene Therapy: Nanowires can also deliver genetic material to specific cells, facilitating gene editing or the correction of mutations linked to cancer. This non-viral delivery method allows for precise targeting of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), or clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) components with high precision. This approach could address genetic abnormalities that drive cancer progression.6
Real-Time Biomarker Monitoring: Functionalized nanowires detect and monitor cancer biomarkers with high sensitivity. This enables continuous tracking of cancer progression, supporting early intervention and personalized treatment adjustments. These capabilities make them especially valuable in point-of-care diagnostic devices.7
Imaging Enhancement: Conjugated nanowires improve the contrast and resolution of imaging techniques such as MRI and fluorescence microscopy. Their ability to selectively target cancer cells leads to more accurate imaging and better tumor visualization.
For example, combining nanowires with other imaging technologies provides more comprehensive diagnostic information, such as precise tumor localization, size estimation, and growth tracking. These advancements enhance early cancer detection through improved resolution, sensitivity, and targeting.8
Combination Therapies: Nanowires can combine drug delivery and heat therapy, attacking cancer cells through multiple mechanisms. This combination approach enhances treatment efficacy by targeting cancer in different ways. The adaptability of nanowires allows for therapies to be personalized, tailoring treatments to the needs of individual patients for better outcomes.9
Fluorescent Nanowires for Cancer Cell Detection
Advantages and Challenges of Using Nanowires in Medical Applications
Nanowires are well-suited for detecting even trace amounts of medicinal agents due to their unique structure and high surface area. This makes them especially useful in early-stage diagnostics, where identifying biomarkers accurately is critical. Their ability to target specific biomarkers ensures more reliable results, which in turn leads to better-informed clinical decisions.10
Due to their exceptional biocompatibility and sensitivity, nanowires can be safely used in living organisms without causing harmful immune responses. This makes them ideal for applications in drug delivery, imaging, and therapies.
Additionally, nanowires can be functionalized to selectively bind to cancer cells or other target tissues. This selective targeting enhances the efficacy of treatments, minimizes damage to healthy tissues, and improves overall patient outcomes.11
One of the main challenges in using nanowires for biomedical applications is ensuring their biostability. While nanowires show high efficacy in various therapeutic and diagnostic contexts, their stability in biological environments remains a concern.
Over time, they may degrade or become toxic, limiting their long-term effectiveness and safety when used in vivo. Further research is needed to develop improved materials and coatings that enhance the durability and biocompatibility of nanowires.12
Another significant challenge is the scalability of nanowire production. While nanowires perform well at the laboratory scale, producing them in large quantities with consistent quality is more complex. This limitation impacts their broader application, especially in clinical and commercial settings.
Additionally, regulatory hurdles must be overcome before nanowires can be approved for medical use. Strict regulatory processes are essential to ensure their safety, efficacy, and compliance with medical standards, which could delay their integration into mainstream healthcare solutions.12
The Path Forward: Nanowires in Medical Innovation
The future of nanowire applications in cancer diagnostics and therapy holds significant promise. As research progresses, we can expect the development of advanced nanowire-based biosensors capable of detecting multiple cancer biomarkers with even greater sensitivity. This could lead to the emergence of techniques like “cancer fingerprinting,” enabling more personalized and precise treatment strategies.
In drug delivery, the focus will likely shift towards “smart” nanowire systems that can respond to specific cues from the tumor microenvironment, such as changes in pH or enzyme activity. This targeted drug release could significantly enhance treatment effectiveness while minimizing side effects. Additionally, integrating nanowires with immunotherapies could amplify the body’s natural defense against cancer, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
Advances in nanowire fabrication methods are expected to address the challenges of scalability and consistency, making these technologies more cost-effective and widely accessible. This could help make cutting-edge cancer treatments available in resource-limited settings, where access to such therapies is currently a significant barrier.
Looking ahead, we may see hybrid nanowire systems combining multiple functionalities, such as imaging, drug delivery, and real-time monitoring. These multifunctional platforms could redefine theranostics by seamlessly integrating diagnosis and treatment in a single system.
Despite the promising potential, important challenges remain, particularly related to long-term biocompatibility and regulatory approval. With continued research and collaboration, however, nanowires will likely become an integral part of the oncology toolkit, offering new solutions and improving patient outcomes in the fight against cancer.
Exploring the Techniques, Challenges, and Innovations in Sample Preparation
References and Further Reading
1. Xiang, Y., et al. (2022). Nanomaterial-based microfluidic systems for cancer biomarker detection: Recent applications and future perspectives. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 158, 116835. DOI: 10.1016/j.trac.2022.116835, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165993622003181
2.Liu, X., Zhang, H., Huang, Z., Cheng, Z., Li, T. (2023). A highly sensitive and selective detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) using a peptide-functionalized silicon nanowire array sensor. Analytical Methods, 15:17, 2082–2087. DOI: 10.1039/d3ay00169e, https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/ay/d3ay00169e/unauth
3. Gao, A., Wang, F., Fan, Z., Chen, S., Wu, K. (2024). Reliable breast cancer miRNAs detection with enhanced silicon nanowire biosensor by PNA probe and optical calibration. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 401, 135011. DOI: 10.1016/j.snb.2023.135011, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092540052301729X
4.Kumar, S., Singh, H., Feder-Kubis, J., Nguyen, DD. (2023). Recent advances in nanobiosensors for sustainable healthcare applications: A systematic literature review. Environmental Research, 238, 117177. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117177, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935123019813
5. Phalake, SS., et al. (2023). Functionalized manganese iron oxide nanoparticles: a dual potential magneto-chemotherapeutic cargo in a 3D breast cancer model. Nanoscale, 15:38, 15686–15699.DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02816j, https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2023/nr/d3nr02816j
6.Morganti, D., et al. (2021). Luminescent Silicon Nanowires as Novel Sensor for Environmental Air Quality Control. Sensors, 22(22), 8755. DOI:10.3390/s22228755, https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/22/8755
7. Zhong, S.-J., et al. (2024). Metal-based nanowires in electrical biosensing. Rare Metals. DOI: 10.1007/s12598-024-02821-7, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12598-024-02821-7
8. Kovuri Umadevi, et al. (2024). Current Trends and Advances in Nanoplatforms-Based Imaging for Cancer Diagnosis. Indian Journal of Microbiology. DOI: 10.1007/s12088-024-01373-9, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12088-024-01373-9
9. Li, T., et al. (2024). Advanced Thermoactive Nanomaterials for Thermomedical Tissue Regeneration: Opportunities and Challenges. Small Methods. DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202400510, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smtd.202400510
10.Singh, NB., et al. (2024). Nano revolution: Exploring the frontiers of nanomaterials in science, technology, and society. Nano-Structures & Nano-Objects, 39, 101299. DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoso.2024.101299, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352507X24002105
11. Hristova-Panusheva, K., et al. (2024). Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery Systems for Precision Targeting in Oncology. Pharmaceuticals, 17:6, 677. DOI: 10.3390/ph17060677, https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/6/677
12.. Mehta, M., et al. (2023). Lipid-Based Nanoparticles for Drug/Gene Delivery: An Overview of the Production Techniques and Difficulties Encountered in Their Industrial Development. ACS Materials Science Au, 3:6. DOI: 10.1021/acsmaterialsau.3c00032, https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsmaterialsau.3c00032
