Zinc oxide nanoparticles as a plausible alternative to overcome contemporary chemotherapeutic challenges

Cancer is a group of diseases caused by dysregulation of pathways governing the cell cycle, DNA repair, metabolism, apoptosis, and microRNA expression, among others. It is the second-leading cause of death globally after cardiovascular disease. Early detection and targeted drug delivery with low toxicity towards normal cells are key elements of cancer cell ablation. However, despite tremendous advances in modern cancer therapies, shortcomings such as reduced bioavailability, chronic pain, and adverse health effects impede their efficiency. These challenges have spurred alternative research directions in cancer treatment. Nanotechnology is an emerging field with vast possibilities for biomedical applications. Metal oxide nanoparticles offer enormous potential as agents for diagnosing and treating malignancies. Zn is a ubiquitous trace element that plays a significant role in biological processes. Nanoparticles developed using zinc oxide (ZnO NPs) are biocompatible, biodegradable, and low-toxicity, with promising potential as anticancer agents. Their anticancer potential stems from their ability to trigger ROS production, induce apoptosis, target cancer cells for drug delivery, and prevent cancer recurrence and metastasis. This review explores the dysregulated mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis, the anti-proliferative activity of ZnO NPs, and their proficiency in target drug delivery to tumour cells, using Google Scholar®, SciFinder® and PubMed® as search engines. Additionally, the potential shortcomings and prospects of zinc oxide nanoparticles in cancer treatment strategies are discussed.