Bimetallic nanoparticles as suitable nanocarriers in cancer therapy

Abstract

Cancer is a widespread disease which has been prevalent for decades and for which a cure is yet to be discovered. Current treatments are fraught with severe side effects to patients and with no certainty of remission. This problem has been met with research innovations in the design of nanomaterials with potential to be used as nanocarriers of cancer therapeutics. In this regard, the current review focuses on the progress that has been achieved through the synthesis and functionalisation of bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs). Metal nanoparticles have been used extensively in the design of potential cancer treatments, with BNPs showing increasing potential. The combination of two metals each with their own advantageous properties can produce a nanoparticle with favourable properties and enhanced activity. This review outlines the current advances and avenues being explored with BNPs and their applications in cancer treatment, spanning research conducted in the last ten years. These include the efficient delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs such as doxorubicin, paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil, use of BNPs in phototherapy and theranostics, where BNPs serve as contrast agents for imaging. In each of these instances, BNPs show strong potential for further development and optimization for cancer therapy. However, most of the research to date does not extend beyond the in vitro level. There is still a vast array of functionalisations to be explored and applications to be discovered. As such, it is clear that further research into this promising platform is imperative.

Keywords

• Bimetallic
• Nanoparticles
• Cancer
• Delivery
• Chemotherapy
• Drugs