Functionalized silver nanoparticles in lung cancer treatment: mechanistic insights and emerging combination strategies

Abstract

Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative frontier in contemporary medicine, offering innovative methodologies for the diagnosis and therapeutic management of diverse malignancies. Among various nanoplatforms, AgNPs have garnered significant research attention due to their distinctive physicochemical attributes and potent biological activities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the therapeutic potential of AgNPs in lung cancer (LC). We examine the recent advancements in AgNP synthesis techniques, surface functionalization strategies, and characterization techniques that modulate their pharmacokinetics and bioreactivity. The tumor-targeting precision of AgNPs is explored in detail through the EPR effect, along with their cellular uptake and cytotoxic action via oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage, culminating in the programmed death of lung cancer cells. Furthermore, the review discusses strategies to enhance biocompatibility and tumor selectivity through surface modification with polymers or targeting ligands. This review also evaluates the synergistic anticancer efficacy of AgNPs in combination with traditional chemotherapeutics and hybrid nanostructures, demonstrating improved therapeutic indices and reduced side effects. Despite these promising results, rigorous in vivo investigations and clinical trials remain imperative to validate the long-term safety, optimal dosage, and therapeutic mechanisms of these nanocomposites.