Table 2.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Metallic and Metal Oxide Nanomaterials for Cancer Therapies.
| Nanoparticle Class | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) | Strong biocompatibility | Chemical contaminants from synthesis can cause toxicity issues |
| Established delivery platform for a variety of cancer drugs | Less direct anti-cancer effects than other nanoparticle materials | |
| Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) | Good biocompatibility | Size-dependent cytotoxicity requires tuning of particle size |
| Direct anti-cancer cell killing capability | Potential off-target effects with little delivery to the tumor | |
| Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (IONPs) | Ability to direct uptake through external magnetic stimulation | Active targeting requires significant research to achieve clinical utility |
| Can be functionalized with ligands to enhance active targeting | ||
| Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnONPs) | Innate action on molecular pathways inducing ROS, cytokine and chemokine secretion, and cancer cell apoptosis | Off-target effects with poor tumor accumulation must still be addressed in vivo |
| Cytotoxic effects can be tied to external stimulation, such as UV light | ||
| Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) | Similar direct cytotoxicity mechanisms as ZnONPs, through ROS generation and DNA damage to cancer cells | NPs frequently accumulate in RES organs are cleared through the renal system before significant tumor accumulation |