Particle-Size-Dependent Delivery of Antitumoral miRNA Using Targeted Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Engineered Silica Nanoparticles for Nucleic Acid Delivery

The development of nucleic acid-based drugs holds great promise for therapeutic applications, but their effective delivery into cells is hindered by poor cellular membrane permeability and inherent instability. To overcome these challenges, delivery vehicles are required to protect and deliver nucleic acids efficiently. Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have emerged as promising nanovectors and recently bioregulators for gene delivery due to their unique advantages. In this review, a summary of recent advancements in the design of SiNPs for nucleic acid delivery and their applications is provided, mainly according to the specific type of nucleic acids. First, the structural characteristics and working mechanisms of various types of nucleic acids are introduced and classified according to their functions. Subsequently, for each nucleic acid type, the use of SiNPs for enhancing delivery performance and their biomedical applications are summarized. The tailored design of SiNPs for selected type of nucleic acid delivery will be highlighted considering the characteristics of nucleic acids. Lastly, the limitations in current research and personal perspectives on future directions in this field are presented. It is expected this opportune review will provide insights into a burgeoning research area for the development of next-generation SiNP-based nucleic acid delivery systems.

Engineered mesoporous silica nanoparticles, new insight nanoplatforms into effective cancer gene therapy

The use of nucleic acid to control the expression of genes relevant to tumor progression is a key therapeutic approach in cancer research. Therapeutics based on nucleic acid provide novel concepts for untreatable targets. Nucleic acids as molecular medications must enter the target cell to be effective and obstacles in the systemic delivery of DNA or RNA limit their use in a clinical setting. The creation of nucleic acid delivery systems based on nanoparticles in order to circumvent biological constraints is advancing quickly. The ease of synthesis and surface modification, biocompatibility, biodegradability, cost-effectiveness and high loading capability of nucleic acids have prompted the use of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) in gene therapy. The unique surface features of MSNs facilitate their design and decoration for high loading of nucleic acids, immune system evasion, cancer cell targeting, controlled cargo release, and endosomal escape. Reports have demonstrated successful therapeutic outcomes with the administration of a variety of engineered MSNs capable of delivering genes to tumor sites in laboratory animals. This comprehensive review of studies about siRNA, miRNA, shRNA, lncRNA and CRISPR/Cas9 delivery by MSNs reveals engineered MSNs as a safe and efficient system for gene transfer to cancer cells and cancer mouse models.

Design and fabrication of intracellular therapeutic cargo delivery systems based on nanomaterials: current status and future perspectives

Intracellular cargo delivery, the introduction of small molecules, proteins, and nucleic acids into a specific targeted site in a biological system, is an important strategy for deciphering cell function, directing cell fate, and reprogramming cell behavior. With the advancement of nanotechnology, many researchers use nanoparticles (NPs) to break through biological barriers to achieving efficient targeted delivery in biological systems, bringing a new way to realize efficient targeted drug delivery in biological systems. With a similar size to many biomolecules, NPs possess excellent physical and chemical properties and a certain targeting ability after functional modification on the surface of NPs. Currently, intracellular cargo delivery based on NPs has emerged as an important strategy for genome editing regimens and cell therapy. Although researchers can successfully deliver NPs into biological systems, many of them are delivered very inefficiently and are not specifically targeted. Hence, the development of efficient, target-capable, and safe nanoscale drug delivery systems to deliver therapeutic substances to cells or organs is a major challenge today. In this review, on the basis of describing the research overview and classification of NPs, we focused on the current research status of intracellular cargo delivery based on NPs in biological systems, and discuss the current problems and challenges in the delivery process of NPs in biological systems.

A Dual Concentration-Tailored Cytokine-Chemo Nanosystem to Alleviate Multidrug Resistance and Redirect Balance of Cancer Proliferation and Apoptosis

Background

Cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) is an important factor that severely affects the chemotherapeutic efficacy. Among various methods to bypass MDR, usage of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is attractive, which exerts antitumor effects of immunotherapeutic response and apoptotic/proinflammatory pathways. Nevertheless, the challenges remain how to implement targeted delivery of TNFα to reduce toxicity and manifest the involved signaling mechanism that subdues MDR.

Methods

We synthesized a multifunctional nanosytem, in which TNFα covalently bound to doxorubicin (Dox)-loaded pH-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) through bi-functional polyethylene glycol (TNFα-PEG-MSN-Hydrazone-Dox) as a robust design to overcome MDR.

Results

The salient features of this nanoplatform are: 1) by judicious tailoring of TNFα concentration conjugated on MSN, we observed it could lead to a contrary effect of either proliferation or suppression of tumor growth; 2) the MSN-TNFα at higher concentration serves multiple functions, besides tumor targeting and inducer of apoptosis through extrinsic pathway, it inhibits the expression level of p-glycoprotein (P-gp), a cell membrane protein that functions as a drug efflux pump; 3) the enormous surface area of MSN provides for TNFα functionalization, and the nanochannels accommodate chemotherapeutics, Dox; 4) targeted intracellular release of Dox through the pH-dependent cleavage of hydrazone bonds induces apoptosis by the specific intrinsic pathway; and 5) TNFα-PEG-MSN-Hydrazone-Dox (MSN-Dox-TNFα) could infiltrate deep into the 3D spheroid tumor model through disintegration of tight junction proteins. When administered intratumorally in a Dox-resistant mouse tumor model, MSN-Dox-TNFα exhibited a synergistic therapeutic effect through the collective performances of TNFα and Dox.

Conclusion

We hereby develop and demonstrate a multifunctional MSN-Dox-TNFα system with concentration-tailored TNFα that can abrogate the drug resistance mechanism, and significantly inhibit the tumor growth through both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways, thus making it a highly potential nanomedicine translated in the treatment of MDR tumors.

MicroRNAs-Based Theranostics against Anesthetic-Induced Neurotoxicity

Various clinical reports indicate prolonged exposure to general anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity (in vitro and in vivo). Behavior changes (memory and cognition) are compilations commonly cited with general anesthetics. The ability of miRNAs to modulate gene expression, thereby selectively altering cellular functions, remains one of the emerging techniques in the recent decade. Importantly, engineered miRNAs (which are of the two categories, i.e., agomir and antagomir) to an extent found to mitigate neurotoxicity. Utilizing pre-designed synthetic miRNA oligos would be an ideal analeptic approach for intervention based on indicative parameters. This review demonstrates engineered miRNA's potential as prophylactics and/or therapeutics minimizing the general anesthetics-induced neurotoxicity. Furthermore, we share our thoughts regarding the current challenges and feasibility of using miRNAs as therapeutic agents to counteract the adverse neurological effects. Moreover, we discuss the scientific status and updates on the novel neuro-miRNAs related to therapy against neurotoxicity induced by amyloid beta (Aβ) and Parkinson's disease (PD).

Immunomodulatory nanotherapeutic approaches for periodontal tissue regeneration

Periodontitis is an infection-induced inflammatory disease characterized by progressive destruction of tooth supporting tissues, which, if left untreated, can result in tooth loss. The destruction of periodontal tissues is primarily caused by an imbalance between the host immune protection and immune destruction mechanisms. The ultimate goal of periodontal therapy is to eliminate inflammation and promote the repair and regeneration of both hard and soft tissues, so as to restore the physiological structure and function of periodontium. Advancement in nanotechnologies has enabled the development of nanomaterials with immunomodulatory properties for regenerative dentistry. This review discusses the immune mechanisms of the major effector cells in the innate and adaptive immune systems, the physicochemical and biological properties of nanomaterials, and the research advancements in immunomodulatory nanotherapeutic approaches for the management of periodontitis and the regeneration of periodontal tissues. The current challenges, and prospects for future applications of nanomaterials are then discussed so that researchers at the intersections of osteoimmunology, regenerative dentistry and materiobiology will continue to advance the development of nanomaterials for improved periodontal tissue regeneration.

Nonviral nanoparticle gene delivery into the CNS for neurological disorders and brain cancer applications

Nonviral nanoparticles have emerged as an attractive alternative to viral vectors for gene therapy applications, utilizing a range of lipid-based, polymeric, and inorganic materials. These materials can either encapsulate or be functionalized to bind nucleic acids and protect them from degradation. To effectively elicit changes to gene expression, the nanoparticle carrier needs to undergo a series of steps intracellularly, from interacting with the cellular membrane to facilitate cellular uptake to endosomal escape and nucleic acid release. Adjusting physiochemical properties of the nanoparticles, such as size, charge, and targeting ligands, can improve cellular uptake and ultimately gene delivery. Applications in the central nervous system (CNS; i.e., neurological diseases, brain cancers) face further extracellular barriers for a gene-carrying nanoparticle to surpass, with the most significant being the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Approaches to overcome these extracellular challenges to deliver nanoparticles into the CNS include systemic, intracerebroventricular, intrathecal, and intranasal administration. This review describes and compares different biomaterials for nonviral nanoparticle-mediated gene therapy to the CNS and explores challenges and recent preclinical and clinical developments in overcoming barriers to nanoparticle-mediated delivery to the brain. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology.

Recent Advances in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery for Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer (BC) currently occupies the second rank in cancer-related global female deaths. Although consistent awareness and improved diagnosis have reduced mortality in recent years, late diagnosis and resistant response still limit the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs (CDs), leading to relapse with consequent invasion and metastasis. Treatment with CDs is indeed well-versed but it is badly curtailed with accompanying side effects and inadequacies of site-specific drug delivery. As a result, drug carriers ensuring stealth delivery and sustained drug release with improved pharmacokinetics and biodistribution are urgently needed. Core-shell mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) have recently been a cornerstone in this context, attributed to their high surface area, low density, robust functionalization, high drug loading capacity, size-shape-controlled functioning, and homogeneous shell architecture, enabling stealth drug delivery. Recent interest in using MSNPs as drug delivery vehicles has been due to their functionalization and size-shape-driven versatilities. With such insights, this article focuses on the preparation methods and drug delivery mechanisms of MSNPs, before discussing their emerging utility in BC treatment. The information compiled herein could consolidate the database for using inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) as BC drug delivery vehicles in terms of design, application and resolving post-therapy complications.

Current applications of nanomaterials in urinary system tumors

The development of nanotechnology and nanomaterials has provided insights into the treatment of urinary system tumors. Nanoparticles can be used as sensitizers or carriers to transport drugs. Some nanoparticles have intrinsic therapeutic effects on tumor cells. Poor patient prognosis and highly drug-resistant malignant urinary tumors are worrisome to clinicians. The application of nanomaterials and the associated technology against urinary system tumors offers the possibility of improving treatment. At present, many achievements have been made in the application of nanomaterials against urinary system tumors. This review summarizes the latest research on nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary system tumors and provides novel ideas for future research on nanotechnologies in this field.

Exploiting recent trends for the synthesis and surface functionalization of mesoporous silica nanoparticles towards biomedical applications

Rapid progress in developing multifunctional nanocarriers for drug delivery has been observed in recent years. Inorganic mesoporous silica nanocarriers (MSNs), emerged as an ideal candidate for gene/drug delivery with distinctive morphological features. These ordered carriers of porous nature have gained unique attention due to their distinctive features. Moreover, transformation can be made to these nanocarriers in terms of pores size, pores volume, and particle size by altering specific parameters during synthesis. These ordered porous materials have earned special attention as a drug carrier for treating multiple diseases. Herein, we highlight the strategies employed in synthesizing and functionalizing these versatile nanocarriers. In addition, the various factors that influence their sizes and morphological features were also discussed. The article also summarizes the recent advancements and strategies for drug and gene delivery by rendering smarter MSNs by incorporating functional groups on their surfaces. Averting off-target effects through various capping strategies is a massive milestone for the induction of stimuli-responsive nanocarriers that brings out a great revolution in the biomedical field.

•

MSNs serve as an ideal candidate for gene/drug delivery with unique and excellent attributes.

•

MSNs surface can be functionalized using specific materials to impart unique structural features.

•

Functionalization of MSNs with stimuli-responsive molecules can act as gatekeepers by responding to the desired stimulus after uncapping.

•

These capping agents act as vital targeting agents in developing MSNs being employed in various biomedical applications.

Recent advances in mesoporous silica nanoparticle-based targeted drug-delivery systems for cancer therapy

Targeted drug-delivery systems are a growing research topic in tumor treatment. In recent years, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been extensively studied and applied in noninvasive and biocompatible drug-delivery systems for tumor therapy due to their outstanding advantages, which include high surface area, large pore volume, tunable pore size, easy surface modification and stable framework. The advances in the application of MSNs for anticancer drug targeting are covered and highlighted in this review, and the challenges and prospects of MSN-based targeted drug-delivery systems are discussed. This review provides new insights for researchers interested in targeted drug-delivery systems against cancer.

Challenges for the application of EGFR-targeting peptide GE11 in tumor diagnosis and treatment

Abnormal regulation of cell signaling pathways on cell survival, proliferation and migration contributes to the development of malignant tumors. Among them, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most important biomarkers in many types of malignant solid tumors. Its over-expression and mutation status can be served as a biomarker to identify patients who can be benifit from EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors and anti-EGFR monocloncal antibody (mAb) therapy. For decades, researches on EGFR targeted ligands were actively carried out to identify potent candidates for cancer therapy. An ideal EGFR ligand can competitively inhibit the binding of endogenous growth factor, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-α(TGF-α) to EGFR, thus block EGFR signaling pathway and downregulate EGFR expression. Alternatively, conjugation of EGFR ligands on drug delivery systems (DDS) can facilitate targeting delivery of therapeutics or diagnostic agents to EGFR over-expression tumors via EGFR-mediated endocytosis. GE11 peptide is one of the potent EGFR ligand screened from a phage display peptide library. It is a dodecapeptide that can specifically binds to EGFR with high affinity and selectivity. GE11 has been widely used in the diagnosis and targeted delivery of drugs for radiotherapy, genetherapy and chemotherpy against EGFR positive tumors. In this review, the critical factors affecting the in vivo and in vitro targeting performance of GE11 peptide, including ligand-receptor intermolecular force, linker bond properties and physiochemical properties of carrier materials, are detailedly interpreted. This review provides a valuable vision for the rational design and optimization of GE11-based active targeting strategies for cancer treatment, and it will promote the translation studies of GE11 from lab research to clinical application.

DNA modified MSN-films as versatile biointerfaces to study stem cell adhesion processes

A significant bottleneck in the clinical translation of stem cells remains eliciting the desired stem cell behavior once transplanted in the body. In their natural environment, stem cell fate is regulated by their interaction with extracellular matrix (ECM), mainly through integrin-mediated cell adhesion. 2D biointerfaces that selectively present ECM-derived ligands can be used as valuable tools to study and improve our understanding on how stem cells interact with their environment. Here we developed a new type of biointerface based on mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) which are interesting nanomaterials for biointerface engineering because they allow close control over surface physiochemical properties. To create the platform, DNA functionalized MSN (MSN-ssDNA) with varying PEG linker length were developed. Cell adhesion tripeptide RGD was conjugated to a complementary DNA strand, which could specifically bind to MSN-ssDNA to create MSN-dsDNA-RGD films. We showed that MSN-dsDNA-RGD films could promote hMSCs adhesion and spreading, whereas MSN-dsDNA films without RGD resulted in poor cell spreading with round morphology, and low cell adhesion. In addition, we showed that cell adhesion to the films is PEG length-dependent. The design of the platform allows easy incorporation of other and multiple ECM ligands, as well as soluble cues, making MSN-ssDNA based biointerfaces a novel tool to study ligand-stem cell interactions.

Can increased expression of miR-Let-7c reduce the transition potential of high-grade urothelial carcinoma?

BACKGROUND

Bladder cancer is the leading transitional cell carcinoma affecting men and women with high morbidity and mortality rates, justifying the need to develop new molecular target therapies using microRNAs. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of the T24 cell line after transfection with miR-Let-7c precursor mimic through invasion, migration, apoptosis, and cell cycle assays. METHODS AND RESULTS: T24 cell was transfected with the Let-7c mimic and its respective control and evaluated after 24 h. The expression levels of miR-Let-7c were analyzed by qPCR. We performed wound healing, Matrigel and flow cytometry, apoptosis, and cell cycle assays to determine its effect on cellular processes. Cells transfected with miR-Let-7c showed increased apoptosis rates (p = 0.019), decreased migration 24 h (p = 0.031) and 48 h (p = 0.0006), invasion potential (p = 0.0007), and cell proliferation (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that miR-Let-7c can act in different pathways of the carcinogenic cellular processes of muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma cells, inhibiting cell proliferation and increasing apoptosis levels, consequently limiting their invasion potential. However, further studies should be carried out better to elucidate this microRNA's role in high-grade urothelial carcinomas and unveil which targets this microRNA may present, which are intrinsically related to the cancer survival pathways.

Resveratrol-Loaded Nanoemulsions: In Vitro Activity on Human T24 Bladder Cancer Cells

The chemopreventive potential of Resveratrol (RV) against bladder cancer and its mechanism of action have been widely demonstrated. The physicochemical properties of RV, particularly its high reactivity and low solubility in aqueous phase, have been limiting factors for its bioavailability and in vivo efficacy. In order to overcome these limitations, its inclusion in drug delivery systems needs to be taken into account. In particular, oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions (NEs) have been considered ideal candidates for RV encapsulation. Since surfactant and oil composition can strongly influence NE features and their application field, a ternary phase diagram was constructed and evaluated to select a suitable surfactant/oil/water ratio. The selected sample was deeply characterized in terms of physical chemical features, stability, release capability and cytotoxic activity. Results showed a significant decrease in cell viability after the incubation of bladder T24 cancer cells with RV-loaded NEs, compared to free RV. The selected NE formulation was able to preserve and improve RV cytotoxic activity by a more rapid drug uptake into the cells. O/W NEs represent an effective approach to improve RV bioavailability.

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles for the treatment of osteoarthritis alone or in combination with Diacerein® in a rat model

Gold (Au) compounds were used as an effective therapeutic agent for various inflammatory diseases; however, the use of Au compounds becomes limited because of its association with several side effects. Hence, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were developed as a new option for the medical proposes. However, the safety evaluation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in osteoarthritis (OA) treatment remains vague. This study aimed to biosynthesize, characterize and evaluate the therapeutic effects of biosynthesized AuNPs and/or Diacerein^® (DIA) in experimental OA. OA was induced by a single injection of monosodium iodoacetate (3 mg/joint) in the intra-articular knee of female rats. Normal rats (N-rats) and OA-rats were treated orally for 5 weeks as follow: untreated N-rats; untreated OA-rats; N-rats received DIA (50 mg/kg b.w); N-rats received AuNPs (30 μg/kg b.w.); N-rats received AuNPs plus DIA; OA-rats received DIA; OA-rats received AuNPs, and OA-rats received AuNPs plus DIA. Blood, knee cartilage, liver and kidney samples were collected for biochemical and histological analysis. The synthesized AuNPs were nearly spherical with average size of 20 nm and zeta potential of 33 mV. AuNPs and DIA induced a significant improvement in serum inflammatory cytokines, biochemical parameters, estrogen level, hepatic and renal oxidative markers, hepatic DNA fragmentation, genomic template stability and cartilage joint histology of OA-rats. AuNPs were more effective than DIA and the combined treatment was more effective than the single treatment. It could be concluded that AuNPs are promising for the treatment of OA alone or in combination with DIA.

Non-viral Vectors in Gene Therapy: Recent Development, Challenges, and Prospects

Gene therapy has been experiencing a breakthrough in recent years, targeting various specific cell groups in numerous therapeutic areas. However, most recent clinical studies maintain the use of traditional viral vector systems, which are challenging to manufacture cost-effectively at a commercial scale. Non-viral vectors have been a fast-paced research topic in gene delivery, such as polymers, lipids, inorganic particles, and combinations of different types. Although non-viral vectors are low in their cytotoxicity, immunogenicity, and mutagenesis, attracting more and more researchers to explore the promising delivery system, they do not carry ideal characteristics and have faced critical challenges, including gene transfer efficiency, specificity, gene expression duration, and safety. This review covers the recent advancement in non-viral vectors research and formulation aspects, the challenges, and future perspectives.

Fabrication and application of a novel electrochemical biosensor based on a mesoporous carbon sphere@UiO-66-NH2/Lac complex enzyme for tetracycline detection

The overuse of tetracycline results in a threat to human, poultry and livestock health. An enzymatic electrochemical biosensor is an ideal alternative method for accurate and rapid tetracycline detection, while the unstable and easily deactivated nature of the enzyme limits its development. To overcome these limitations, a highly sensitive enzymatic electrochemical biosensor for the determination of tetracycline is developed in this work based on a complex enzyme which was constructed using a mesoporous carbon sphere@UiO-66-NH2 (MCS@UiO-66-NH2) core-shell composite with embedded laccase (Lac). Compared to pure MCS and UiO-66-NH2, the MCS@UiO-66-NH2 core-shell composite has an advantageous mesoporous structure (pore diameter >8 nm), which is suitable for the immobilization of small laccase. The biosensor based on the complex enzyme exhibits a superior activity and enhanced stability as compared with that made using a pure enzyme because the mesoporous structure of the MCS@UiO-66-NH2 composite can effectively protect the laccase against inactivation and denaturation. Besides, its high specific surface area and good conductivity are beneficial to enzyme immobilization and electron transfer in the modified electrode. The biosensor based on this complex enzyme exhibits a relatively low detection limit of 8.94 × 10-7 mol L-1 and a detection range of 1.0 × 10-6-6.0 × 10-5 mol L-1 for tetracycline detection. Furthermore, the developed biosensor possesses good long-term stability, selectivity and reproducibility, indicating its potential application for tetracycline determination in actual food. This research work provides a prospective solution to resolve the stability and inactivation problems of enzymatic electrochemical biosensors in different application scenarios.

Progress in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Agents for Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment and therapy have made significant leaps and bounds in these past decades. However, there are still cases where surgical removal is impossible, metastases are challenging, and chemotherapy and radiotherapy pose severe side effects. Therefore, a need to find more effective and specific treatments still exists. One way is through the utilization of drug delivery agents (DDA) based on nanomaterials. In 2001, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were first used as DDA and have gained considerable attention in this field. The popularity of MSNs is due to their unique properties such as tunable particle and pore size, high surface area and pore volume, easy functionalization and surface modification, high stability and their capability to efficiently entrap cargo molecules. This review describes the latest advancement of MSNs as DDA for cancer treatment. We focus on the fabrication of MSNs, the challenges in DDA development and how MSNs address the problems through the development of smart DDA using MSNs. Besides that, MSNs have also been applied as a multifunctional DDA where they can serve in both the diagnostic and treatment of cancer. Overall, we argue MSNs provide a bright future for both the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Delivery of Natural Agents by Means of Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres as a Promising Anticancer Strategy

Natural prodrugs derived from different natural origins (e.g., medicinal plants, microbes, animals) have a long history in traditional medicine. They exhibit a broad range of pharmacological activities, including anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo. They have potential as safe, cost-effective treatments with few side effects, but are lacking in solubility, bioavailability, specific targeting and have short half-lives. These are barriers to clinical application. Nanomedicine has the potential to offer solutions to circumvent these limitations and allow the use of natural pro-drugs in cancer therapy. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) of various morphology have attracted considerable attention in the search for targeted drug delivery systems. MSNs are characterized by chemical stability, easy synthesis and functionalization, large surface area, tunable pore sizes and volumes, good biocompatibility, controlled drug release under different conditions, and high drug-loading capacity, enabling multifunctional purposes. In vivo pre-clinical evaluations, a significant majority of results indicate the safety profile of MSNs if they are synthesized in an optimized way. Here, we present an overview of synthesis methods, possible surface functionalization, cellular uptake, biodistribution, toxicity, loading strategies, delivery designs with controlled release, and cancer targeting and discuss the future of anticancer nanotechnology-based natural prodrug delivery systems.