Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42353020›Full record

ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2026

Radiolabelled ZnO, Iron Oxide-Based, and Gold Nanoparticles for Cancer Therapy: Synthesis, Surface Engineering, and Radiolabelling Strategies.

Junaid Ali, Albert Comelli, Muhammad Ali, Pierpaolo Alongi, Viviana Benfante

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Junaid AliRi.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy.ORCID 0009-0000-2821-8501
Albert ComelliRi.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-9290-6103
Muhammad AliRi.MED Foundation, Via Bandiera 11, 90133 Palermo, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-7913-704X
Pierpaolo AlongiDepartment of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-8397-1640
Viviana BenfanteAdvanced Diagnostic Imaging-INNOVA Project, Department of Radiological Sciences, A.R.N.A.S. Civico Di Cristina e Benfratelli Hospitals, P.zza N. Leotta 4, 90127 Palermo, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-3629-355X

Funding

Ministry of Health D73C22OO2090001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Radiolabelled nanoparticles are increasingly investigated as multifunctional platforms for cancer imaging, biodistribution tracking, dosimetry, and radionuclide-based therapy. This review focuses on three representative inorganic nanoplatforms: zinc oxide (ZnO), iron oxide-based, and gold (Au) nanoparticles. These systems were selected because they combine distinct physicochemical properties with versatile surface engineering and radiolabelling strategies. ZnO nanoparticles offer pH-responsive behaviour and drug-delivery potential; iron oxide-based nanoparticles provide magnetic functionality, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility, and opportunities for magnetic hyperthermia or local nanobrachytherapy; and Au nanoparticles enable stable surface functionalization, radiometal chelation, radiosensitisation, photothermal effects, and alpha or beta-emitter-based local therapy. The review critically discusses synthesis and surface-modification methods, chelator-mediated and chelator-free radiolabelling, coating-assisted and anchoring-mediated strategies, and the influence of these factors on radiochemical stability, biodistribution, tumour uptake, therapeutic response, toxicity, and clearance. A function-based comparison of the reviewed studies highlights that many systems demonstrate efficient radiolabelling and imaging capability, whereas fewer provide direct in vivo therapeutic efficacy, long-term toxicity, or metabolic clearance data. Overall, radiolabelled ZnO, iron oxide-based, and Au nanoparticles show strong potential for cancer theranostics, tumour-to-organ distribution, therapeutic benefit, and safety.

Indexed as

Ferric CompoundsGoldMagnetic Iron Oxide NanoparticlesMetal NanoparticlesNeoplasmsZinc OxideAnimalsHumansTissue DistributionFerric Compoundsferric oxideGoldZinc Oxidebiodistributioncancer theragnosticchelating agentsgold nanoparticlesiron oxide-based nanoparticlesradiolabelled nanoparticlesradiolabellingradionuclide therapyzinc oxide nanoparticles

Identifiers

PMID42353020
PMCPMC13299488

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.