Resveratrol-loaded Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: A Theranostic Approach for Breast Cancer
D.B. Pranitha, J. Joysa Ruby, D.P. VenkateshIntroduction:
Breast cancer is still one of the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality in women worldwide, despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapies. Conventional therapeutic methods may encounter challenges such as systemic toxicity, development of multidrug resistance, poor tumor targeting, and the possibility of relapse of the disease.
Methods:
This review explores the mechanism of breast cancer development, the possible anticancer properties and pharmacokinetics of resveratrol, and the possibilities for preparing resveratrol-loaded superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs).
Results:
In breast cancer models, resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound, has demonstrated strong anticancer activity through its pro-apoptotic, antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and antimetastatic properties. However, poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability, rapid metabolism, and restricted tumor accumulation impede its practical translation. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, particularly SPIONs, offer a feasible solution to overcome these limitations. The ability to functionalize their surface, biocompatibility, and responsiveness to magnetic fields make SPIONs suitable for controlled release and targeted drug delivery. Moreover, their intrinsic magnetic properties allow their use as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging, facilitating simultaneous diagnosis and therapy, a concept known as theranostics.
Discussion:
Moreover, a critical analysis of preclinical evidence, targeted mechanisms, therapeutic advantages over free resveratrol, clinical translation barriers, and future perspectives is also performed.
Conclusion:
The combination of resveratrol and SPION-based nanoplatforms is a promising approach for targeted and image-guided therapy of breast cancer, and it deserves further optimization and clinical trials.