Nanoparticle-mediated diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of breast cancer

By virtue of their advanced physicochemical properties, nanoparticles have attracted significant attention from researchers for application in diverse fields of medical science. Breast cancer, presenting a high risk of morbidity and mortality, frequently occurs in women and is considered a malignant tumor. Globally, breast cancer is considered the second leading cause of death. Accordingly, its poor prognosis, invasive metastasis, and relapse have motivated oncologists and nano-medical researchers to develop highly potent nanotherapies to cure this deadly disease. In this case, nanoparticles have emerged as responsive platforms for breast cancer management, providing new approaches to improve the diagnostic accuracy, deliver targeted therapies, and limit the progression of this disease. Recently, smart nano-carriers encapsulating drugs, ligands, and tracking probes have been developed for the specific therapy of breast cancers. Further, efforts have been devoted to developing various nano-systems with minimal toxicity. The aim of this review is to present a background on novel nanotheranostic methods that can be employed to diagnose and treat breast cancers and encourage readers to focus on the development of novel nanomedicine for breast cancers and other deadly diseases. In this context, we discuss different methods for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of breast cancers using different metal and metal oxide nanoparticles. Nanoscale materials offer prospects of targeted treatment, precise delivery of therapeutic agents, stimuli-responsive mechanisms, and reduced toxicity in breast cancer patients.