Rajib Das¹*, Nandita Bhowmik², Abhoy Roy³, Jhumpa Debnath⁴ and Sabir Hussain⁵

¹Regional Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Abhoynagar, Agartala, West Tripura, India
²Office of the Deputy Drugs Controller, PN complex, Gurkhabasti, Agartala, Tripura, 799006, India
³Gate Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ramapuram, Chilkur, Kodad, Telangana - 508206, India
⁴Bir Bikram College of Pharmacy, Khayerpur, Dalura, Agartala, West Tripura, India
⁵School of Pharmacy, Himalayan University, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India

*Corresponding Author: Rajib Das, M. Pharm, Full Time Faculty, Regional Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Abhoynagar, Agartala, West Tripura, India.

Received: September 11, 2025; Published: October 23, 2025

Abstract

The physicochemical properties peculiar to silver nanoparticles, AgNPs, including a considerable surface area, their ability to adjust in size, and facile functionalization, have attracted further interest in the oncology field since they can be used to treat cancer specifically and promote synergistic effects when used in combination therapies. The latest advancements in synthesis, functionalization, anticancer mechanism of action, and the combination of AgNPs with immunotherapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, and photodynamic therapy are comprehensively summarized in this review, which covers the period up to 2025. Methods for improving stability and biocompatibility, as well as tumor specificity, can be observed in discussions of physical, chemical production pathways, as well as green/biogenic production pathways. AgNPs mechanistically elicit anticancer effects through the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, cell-cycle arrest, anti-angiogenesis, and alteration of the tumor immunologic microenvironment. When used in combination with multimodal regimens, preclinical and emerging clinical trials indicate an increase in efficacy and an ability to reverse drug resistance; however, questions on safety remain that including normal cell toxicity, fluctuating biodistribution, and accumulation. To minimize off-target consequences, prospects emphasize the need to use a synchronized synthesis method, dose control, and advanced targeting methods. Combination therapies based on AgNP are becoming a potential future trend in the modern use of cancer drugs due to the fact that they fit in the gap between nanotechnology and oncology and are likely to become an important part of increasing intervening effects, curing cancer resistance, and creating a path to individualized cancer care.

Keywords: Silver Nanoparticles; Combination Cancer Therapy; Reactive Oxygen Species; Drug Resistance Reversal; Radio Sensitization; Immunomodulation; Photothermal Therapy; Photodynamic Therapy; Targeted Drug Delivery; Nanomedicine

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Citation

Citation: Rajib Das., et al. “Silver Nanoparticles in Combination Cancer Therapy: Enhancing Efficacy and Overcoming Resistance". Acta Scientific Pharmaceutical Sciences 9.11 (2025): 15-24.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Rajib Das., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.