Recent Advances in Amino-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Targeted Breast Cancer Therapy

Abstract

Breast cancer, which represents a leading cause of cancer-related deaths around the world, poses challenges such as therapeutic resistance, poor specificity of treatments, and systemic toxicity. Amino-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) represent innovative platforms for targeted therapy of breast cancer. With extremely high surface area, tuneable pore size, and versatile functionalization potential, MSNs are shown to efficiently encapsulate chemotherapeutics, genetic materials, and imaging agents. This functionalisation increases drug loading capabilities, stability, and stimuli-responsive release capabilities for precise delivery and minimisation of off-target effects. Key mechanisms explored include active targeting and passive targeting, controlled drug kinetics release, and combination therapies with photothermal, photodynamic, and chemotherapeutic approaches. Some discussion is also given about gene delivery applications and the ways by which MSNs can overcome multidrug resistance. In vitro and in vivo investigations highlight cellular uptake, therapeutic performance, pharmacokinetics, and the safety profile, which reflect biocompatibility and biodegradability. Challenges remain, such as the long-term toxicity, scaling up, and regulatory issues; however, hybrid nanoparticle development, personalized medicine, and AI-driven optimization are promising strategies. All these advances demonstrate the wide scope of amino-functionalized MSNs to transform treatments for breast cancer, through the provision of precise, multifunctional, and patient-tailored approaches to the advancement of precision oncology.