Breast cancer continues to be a global health problem with approximately 2.3 million new cases diagnosed each year. The complexity of this disease requires personalized treatment strategies based on each patient's tumor characteristics [1]. Mutations in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 play an important role in the development and progression of breast cancer. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is essential for tumor growth and survival, making it a therapeutic target. Current treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and tumor-specific therapies [2-4]. However, challenges such as high relapse rates, drug resistance, metastasis, and side effects persist. Innovative approaches, like nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery, show promise in improving treatment outcomes by minimizing harm to healthy tissues [5]. These delivery systems can improve drug efficacy and stability. Advances in genomics and proteomics can improve our understanding of breast cancer, leading to the discovery of important biomarkers that can guide treatment decisions and improve drug delivery. Combining modern technology with traditional therapies can improve breast cancer treatment and ultimately improve patient outcomes [6].

This review seeks to offer a comprehensive assessment of the future potential of nanoparticle-based strategies for improving breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing their possible advantages as well as the challenges they might face. Classification of nanoparticles is very important and can also be related to therapeutic factors, making them effective in a cycle (Fig.1).

Fig 1: Important points about using nanoparticles.

Classification of Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are defined as particles that are smaller than 100 nanometers in size. Their small scale gives them unique characteristics that differentiate them from traditional materials. This small size allows for improved chemical interactions, higher energy absorption, and increased strength. Table 1 displays different types of nanoparticles along with their physical and chemical properties [7-8].

Table 1: Nanoparticle Properties in Breast Cancer Research.

The synthesis of nanoparticles requires careful consideration of their size, charge, and characteristics. The addition of drugs such as antibodies or peptides can improve the targeting ability of these nanoparticles for therapeutic purposes. Various types of nanoparticles, made from materials such as lipids, plastics, iron, proteins, and carbon monoxide, offer unique advantages in drug delivery, genetic applications, and disease diagnosis and treatment [9-10]. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are highly valuable in cancer therapy due to their unique characteristics, including various shapes and sizes, and their ability to be efficiently, stably, and safely produced in the body [11]. Their exceptional light-responsive properties make them useful in photo thermal therapy (PTT), effectively destroying cancer cells while preserving healthy tissue. However, concerns about potential risks associated with AuNPs in medical applications emphasize the need for safe production methods. Research on inorganic nanoparticles (INPs), such as silica, silver and iron oxide, has led to new therapeutic approaches [12]. These INPs have advantageous features like magnetism, thermal stability, and chemical resilience, making them valuable in medicine, drug delivery, and pain management. They can perform multiple functions simultaneously to assist in cancer treatment and enhance doctors' understanding of the disease through imaging. These innovations show significant potential for using nanoparticles in the fight against cancer [13-15].

Nanoparticles Enhance Diagnostic Accuracy in Breast Tumor

Timely identification of breast tumor is crucial for successful treatment and favorable results. Traditional methods such as blood tests and chemotherapy may have difficulties in detecting cancer in its early stages. However, nanotechnology has revolutionized cancer diagnosis by using small particles that can gather in tumors, increasing both accuracy and sensitivity [16]. For example, researcher Wang G. has created super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) that glow when near tumors, aiding in the detection of cancer. Similarly, Liang and colleagues have developed specialized light sensors with hot rods to help in early cancer detection and timely treatment. This advanced technology also shows promise in identifying circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and adding to our knowledge of cancer development and treatment strategies in humans. Furthermore, Wang M. has come up with a way to assess HER2 levels in CTCs using light, which can assist in treatment decisions and improve patient outcomes [17]. While these advancements allow for quick interventions and improved imaging precision, it is important to implement safety precautions to reduce risks such as physical harm. Studying how nanoparticles interact with unintended tissues is essential to avoid adverse effects. This understanding will help ensure continued advancements in nanoparticle-based diagnostics [18].

Therapeutic Promise of Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are emerging as a promising approach to enhance the treatment of breast cancer, offering the potential for more effective therapies while minimizing side effects. Various formulations of nanoparticles, such as Abraxane and Genexol-PM, have been developed to specifically target cancer cells and facilitate more precise drug delivery [19]. These formulations take advantage of the Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect, which enhances the effectiveness of drug distribution. Moreover, they enable controlled release of medications, reducing the frequency of required injections. Cutting-edge therapies like ELU001 and CALAA-01 utilize innovative techniques to direct drugs straight to cancer cells, thereby optimizing drug efficacy and sparing healthy tissue from damage [20]. Current clinical trials are evaluating novel cancer treatments, focusing on personalized therapy approaches. Ongoing research into nanoparticle applications is advancing drug delivery systems, enhancing patient outcomes, and reducing side effects by customizing medications to the specific characteristics of cancer cells and their environments [21].

Obstacles, Interpretation, and Prospective Paths for Nanoparticles in the Management of Clinical Breast Cancer

The use of nanoparticles in drug development shows significant promise, but it also raises safety concerns due to their ability to disrupt natural biological processes [22-24]. Their tiny size allows for complex interactions with biological materials, which can result in harmful effects like cellular stress and genetic damage. There is also a risk of delayed growth in essential organs such as the liver and spleen, leading to potential long-term health complications [25-27]. Moreover, challenges in manufacturing and quality control make it difficult to interpret clinical outcomes. To address these issues, it is important to establish and follow guidelines for good manufacturing practices. Collaborative efforts in research, education, and policy development are necessary to tackle safety and other concerns. Improved monitoring of hospital safety and strict quality control measures can help identify and minimize risks. Increased collaboration between public and private sectors can promote interest in nanoparticle therapies [28]. Additionally, government agencies should simplify approval processes and provide clear regulations to reduce costs and timeframes. This has led me to consider how integrated, multidisciplinary care approaches could contribute to the development of more personalized cancer treatment options [29-31].

The use of nanoparticles, which are minuscule particles with unique properties due to their size and surface characteristics, is changing the way cancer detection and treatment are approached by allowing for customized and personalized strategies. These tiny particles offer new solutions to issues in traditional medicine and are being applied in various ways such as diagnostics, targeted drug delivery, and immunotherapy, especially for breast cancer. However, despite their potential, challenges related to safety, effectiveness, and regulatory approval are slowing down the adoption of nanoparticle-based treatments in clinical settings. Future research should focus on overcoming these challenges by utilizing comprehensive data and combining therapies to improve the accuracy and efficacy of personalized medicine. Bringing nanoparticle treatments from the laboratory to practical use will require thorough testing, advanced manufacturing methods, and proper regulatory monitoring. While nanoparticle treatments show great promise in advancing our understanding of breast cancer through a more personalized and less invasive approach, their incorporation into standard healthcare must carefully consider ethical concerns, costs, and overall effectiveness.

Credit Authorship Contribution Statement

Mohammad Hossein Karami: Supervision, Validation, Formal analysis, Data duration, Investigation, Resources, Writing – original draft, Writing - review & editing, Visualization, Project administration, Methodology.

Majid Abdouss: Supervision, Validation.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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