Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Pitfalls of Multifaceted Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles in Oncology: A Compact Review

Introduction: The nanotechnology era has developed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that are emerging as a next-generation platform for diagnosis, targeted drug delivery, and therapeutic intervention with advanced cancer treatment. Methods: Emerging cancer nanomedicine often utilizes biogenic synthesis through plant extracts or microorganisms, providing a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical methods to form Bio-AgNPs. This eco-friendly approach results in biocompatible nanoparticles that avoid additional toxicity from synthetic chemicals and are enriched with phytochemicals like flavonoids and phenolics, which enhance their pharmacological potency against cancer. Charac-terization techniques such as UV-Vis, FTIR, XRD, DLS, SEM, and TEM, etc., are employed to determine surface morphologies, which significantly impact the cancer theragnostic. Results: Bio-AgNPs with suitable functionalities can activate multiple pathway mechanisms for cancer therapy. These include ROS-mediated oxidative stress, DNA damage, G2/M cell cycle arrest, and the modulation of downstream apoptotic or anti-apoptotic pathways. Additionally, these nanoparticles ensure preferential site-specific cargo delivery, thereby minimizing systemic toxicity. Discussion: Despite gaining popularity among nano-metals, there are several pitfalls regarding clinical status, regulatory limitations, clinical trials, and toxicity. These include issues such as variability, limited scalability in bulk synthesis, and challenges in long-term risk assessment. Conclusion: This review article highlights the potential of Bio-AgNPs to transform cancer treatment through the integration with mechanistic pathways and multifunctional strategies. These include ligand-directed targeting, stimuli-responsive drug release, and molecular imaging within a single nanoscale platform. Additionally, the article addresses the key challenges that must be overcome to enable the successful clinical translation of these technologies.