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Engineering Mono‐Chalcogen Nanomaterials for Omnipotent Anticancer Applications: Progress and Challenges
Author(s) -
Xing Chenyang,
Yin Peng,
Peng Zhengchun,
Zhang Han
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced healthcare materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.288
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2192-2659
pISSN - 2192-2640
DOI - 10.1002/adhm.202000273
Subject(s) - chalcogen , nano , nanotechnology , nanomaterials , tellurium , cancer , materials science , chemistry , medicine , organic chemistry , composite material , metallurgy
Belonging to the chalcogen group, the elements selenium (Se) and tellurium (Te) are located in Group VI‐A of the periodic table. Zero‐valent nanodimensioned Se (nano‐Se) and Te (nano‐Te) have displayed important biomedical applications in recent years. The past two decades have witnessed an explosion in novel cancer treatment strategies using nano‐Se and nano‐Te as aggressive weapons against tumors. Indeed, they are both inorganic nanomedicines that suppress tumor cell proliferation, diffusion, and metastasis. Abundant synthesis strategies for rational and precise surface decoration of nano‐Se and nano‐Te make them significant players in resisting cancers by means of powerful multi‐modal treatment methods. This review focuses on the design and engineering of nano‐Se‐ and nano‐Te‐based nanodelivery systems and their precise uses in cancer treatment. The corresponding anticancer molecular mechanisms of nano‐Se and nano‐Te are discussed in detail. Given their different photo‐induced behaviors, the presence or absence of near infrared illumination is used as a defining characteristic when describing the anticancer applications of nano‐Se and nano‐Te. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of nano‐Se and nano‐Te are summarized and highlighted.