Can nanozymes make the leap to the clinic? Advances, hurdles, and prospects

Trends in biotechnology · 2026-04-01 · 1 citations

Scalable flow synthesis of ultrasmall inorganic nanoparticles for biomedical applications via a confined impinging jet mixer

Scientific Reports · 2026-02-26

Ultrasmall inorganic nanoparticles (sub-5 nm) have unique biomedical advantages due to rapid clearance, enhanced imaging contrast, and potent therapeutic properties. However, current synthesis methods are limited by low throughput, polydispersity, and reliance on harsh conditions such as organic solvents or high temperatures. We report a scalable, single-step aqueous synthesis using a confined impinging jet mixer (CIJM) that produces size-controlled, clinically relevant nanoparticles, including silver sulfide, silver telluride, cerium oxide, and iron oxide, under ambient conditions. The resulting nanoparticles are homogeneous, stable, and preserve their functional biological properties. We demonstrate consistent performance across scales, establishing the CIJM as a versatile and reproducible method for producing ultrasmall inorganic nanoparticles suitable for clinical translation and high-throughput biomedical applications.

Nanozyme Microrobots: Programmable Spatiotemporal Catalysis for Targeted Therapy and Diagnostics

Advanced Science · 2026-01-28 · 1 citations

Nanozyme microrobots combine catalytic nanomaterials with small-scale robotic control to deliver programmable, spatiotemporal catalysis for biomedical applications with precision. Actuated by external stimuli, such as magnetic, acoustic, optical, or chemical gradients, these systems localize and modulate catalytic activity on demand, overcoming long-standing limitations of bulk catalysis, including poor spatial precision, restricted substrate access, and limited adaptability in complex biological environments. By uniting targeted navigation with stimulus-responsive activation, nanozyme microrobots facilitate precise intervention in anatomically challenging and inaccessible niches, from biofilms to solid tumors, and support theranostic workflows with real-time readouts. This review focuses on design principles for integrating nanozymes with microrobotics, surveys actuation, automation, and control strategies, and highlights biomedical applications across biofilm infection control, oncology, and catalytic diagnostics. Together, the convergence of nanozyme catalysis and microrobotic mobility is yielding versatile, adaptive platforms with the potential to transform targeted diagnostics and therapy.

Novel Contrast Agents for Spectral Photon Counting Computed Tomography (SPCCT)

2025-01-01

A self-healing radiopaque hyaluronic acid hydrogel as a new injectable biomaterial for precision medicine in osteoarthritis

Theranostics · 2025-03-10 · 5 citations

tracking over time allows for personalized treatment schedules based on observed retention and therapeutic effect. As a result, this theranostic hydrogel emerges as a strong candidate for precision medicine in OA.

Emerging nanoparticle-based x-ray imaging contrast agents for breast cancer screening

Nanomedicine · 2025-04-22 · 1 citations

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, however, preventive screening has contributed to a significant reduction in mortality over the past four decades. The first-line screening methods for breast cancer, such as mammography and tomosynthesis, are x-ray-based modalities. Unfortunately, their cancer detection rates are low in patients with dense breasts. These, and other high-risk women, are now encouraged to receive supplemental screening. The supplemental imaging methods are diverse, including ultrasound, MRI, nuclear imaging, and X-ray-based modalities such as breast CT and contrast-enhanced mammography/tomosynthesis. Due to their low cost and wide availability, x-ray-based modalities see significant clinical use worldwide. These techniques benefit from the use of contrast agents, which are currently iodinated small molecules designed for other purposes. Consequently, developing new contrast agents that are specifically for breast cancer screening is of interest. This review describes these modalities and the nanoparticle-based contrast agents being researched for their enhanced performance. The relevant parameters for nanoparticle-based contrast agent design are evaluated, including contrast generation and potential biointeractions. Iodinated agents are discussed for comparison. Nanoparticles covered include silver sulfide, silver telluride, gold, and bismuth sulfide-based agents, among others. Finally, perspectives on future developments in this field are offered.

Scalable flow synthesis of ultrasmall inorganic nanoparticles for biomedical applications <i>via</i> a confined impinging jet mixer

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-11-13

Ultrasmall inorganic nanoparticles (sub-5 nm) have unique biomedical advantages due to rapid clearance, enhanced imaging contrast, and potent therapeutic properties. However, current synthesis methods are limited by low throughput, polydispersity, and reliance on harsh conditions such as organic solvents or high temperatures. We report a scalable, single-step aqueous synthesis using a confined impinging jet mixer (CIJM) that produces size-controlled, clinically relevant nanoparticles, including silver sulfide, silver telluride, cerium oxide, and iron oxide, under ambient conditions. The resulting nanoparticles are homogeneous, stable, and preserve their functional biological properties. We demonstrate consistent performance across scales, establishing the CIJM as a versatile and reproducible method for producing ultrasmall inorganic nanoparticles suitable for clinical translation and high-throughput biomedical applications.

K-Edge Imaging Using a Clinical Dual-Source Photon-Counting CT System

medRxiv · 2025-08-24

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and performance of K-edge imaging of iodine (I) and gadolinium (Gd) on a clinically available photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) system. Methods: A dual-source clinical PCCT scanner with four energy thresholds (20, 55, 72, 90 keV) was used to scan phantoms containing pure and mixed solutions of I and Gd across multiple concentrations (1–10 mg/mL) and radiation doses (1–8 mGy). Multi-material decomposition was performed using a calibration-based, image-domain algorithm to generate material-specific maps. Quantitative accuracy was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), while noise and bias trends were statistically analyzed using non-parametric tests. Results: K-edge imaging was successfully achieved on a clinical PCCT system with accurate decomposition of I and Gd across varying concentrations, solution types (pure/mixed), and dose levels. Quantitative bias was significantly influenced by radiation dose, concentration, and solution type (p &lt; 0.0004). Increased radiation dose and contrast concentration improved quantification accuracy, with maximum bias reductions of 0.9 (I) and 0.3 mg/mL (Gd). CNR correlated linearly with concentration (R 2 &gt; 0.99) and moderately with dose (R 2 = 0.85–0.94), achieving peak values of 13 (I) and 16 (Gd) at 8 mGy. Mixed solutions showed reduced performance compared to pure solutions, i.e., CNR of 5 mg/mL Gd solutions increased by 0.6 per mGy in pure solutions while by 0.5 per mGy in mixtures. Noise was dependent on dose but not on concentration or solution type. Conclusion: This study establishes the feasibility of K-edge imaging using a clinical PCCT system and demonstrates accurate, simultaneous decomposition of I and Gd in pure and mixed solutions. These findings support the clinical translation of K-edge imaging and highlight PCCT's potential for advanced dual-contrast and molecular imaging applications.

Doped MnxOy Nanoparticle Contrast Agents for Redox-Triggered MR Imaging

Scholarly Commons (University of Pennsylvania) · 2025-09-15

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with gadolinium-based contrast agents has become a common imaging modality for diagnosing and monitoring tumors. Despite their widespread use, gadolinium-based contrast agents often lack biocompatibility and target specificity. As a result, efforts have been focused on taking advantage of various hallmarks of tumors to develop novel contrast agents. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide radicals, have been shown to be associated with macromolecule damage, inflammation, and cancer. In a non-disease state, the cellular concentrations of superoxide radicals are effectively mediated by metal-coordinated enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD). Despite SOD’s ability to balance ROS levels under these conditions, it has been reported that many tumor microenvironments experience reduced SOD activities and increased levels of ROS. Thus, there has been great interest in the development of contrast agents that leverage the elevated concentrations of ROS to undergo redox reactions. The propensity of certain contrast agents to undergo redox reactions with the ROS can not only bring contrast agents to specific tumor locations but also generate increased signal upon oxidation. Herein, we explore dextran-coated copper-doped manganese oxide (Dex-Cu-MnxOy) nanoparticles as redox-triggered tumor MR imaging contrast agents. These nanoparticles leverage the SOD-mimicking property of their metals cores and biocompatibility derived from their dextran coatings to provide superior MR imaging contrast of enhanced ROS regions.

Longitudinal imaging with multicolour CT provides a surrogate marker of response to treatment with a novel iodine-labelled hydrogel in a murine model of osteoarthritis

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe) · 2025-01-01

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