Review of Therapies using TiO2 Nanomaterials for Increased Anticancer Capability

Abstract

Recently, Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been studied as an alternative to treat cancer diseases under different activation therapies. The aim of this review was to describe the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on some cancer cell lines and their interaction with phototherapies such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), and ultraviolet therapy (UV) for anticancer treatment. The use of TiO₂ combined with PDT, PTT, SDT, or UV has shown a remarkable capacity to enhance the killing of cancer cells through reactive oxygen species formation. Thus, the combination of TiO₂ and activation therapies exhibited great potential and could be a viable anticancer treatment strategy. However, more studies on phototherapies in combination with TiO₂ and their effects under different experimental conditions (TiO₂ concentration, type of cancer cells, and intensity and frequency of therapies) are necessary to guarantee the safe use of this kind of therapy.

Keywords: Titanium dioxide; alternative therapies; antiproliferative effect; cancer treatment; photodynamic therapy (PDT); photothermal therapy (PTT); sonodynamic therapy (SDT); ultraviolet therapy (UV).