Application of In-based oxide nanoparticles for cancer therapy: towards the development of highly selective nano-ceramic theranostic agents

Cancer is one of the major public health problems all over the world. Over the past several decades, enormous efforts have been made to combat cancer. One of particular interest is the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in cancer treatment. Nanomaterials are making great significant contributions to a new strategy for developing anticancer agents due to their distinct and versatile physicochemical properties, endowed by their size, shape, crystal structure, surface properties, and elemental composition. Among these materials, inorganic metal oxide or so-called “ceramic” NPs are of particular interest because, through a variety of engineering designs, multifunctional nano-ceramic systems, also known as nano-ceramic theranostic systems, can be constructed. Such ceramic nano-systems normally combine multiple functionalities in one single platform, for instance: the functions of targeting, diagnosis, therapy, radiation dose enhancement, and radiation protection.