Sherekar Prasad, Suke Sanvidhan G, Dhok Archana, Malegaonkar Srikant, Dhale Shrikrishna A
Department of Biotechnology, Priyadarshini College of Engineering, Priyadarshini Campus, Hingna Road, Nagpur 440 019, India.
Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, DattaMeghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Wardha 442 005, India.
Toxicol Rep. 2025 Jan 31;14:101941. doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2025.101941. eCollection 2025 Jun.
Silicosis is an occupational fibrotic lung disease caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust particles produced during industrial activities. Other crystalline silica-induced pulmonary disorders include a predisposition to mycobacterial infections, obstructive airway diseases, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer. This review paper discusses the burden of silicosis and associated co-morbidities in developed as well as developing countries globally using the published data of various government agencies, related organizations, and epidemiological findings. Moreover, it sheds light on diverse mechanisms of silicosis, outlining molecular events and peculiar alterations in lung parenchyma leading to this occupational lung disease. Evaluation of pathophysiological mechanisms could aid in the identification of novel target molecules and treatments; to date, there is no curative treatment for silicosis. In recent periods, a lot of attention has been focused on the development and fabrication of suitable nanocarriers for improved and sustained drug delivery in the pulmonary system. Nanoparticle-based therapeutic modality has been evaluated in and silicosis models for prolongation of drug activity and improved therapeutic outcomes. The preclinical findings open the doors to clinical trials for operational and regenerative nanoformulations, which eventually create a positive change in medical practice. The following review summarizes various therapeutic approaches available and in the pipe line for silicosis and also stresses the preventive practices for effectively combating this occupational hazard.
矽肺是一种职业性纤维化肺病，由工业活动中产生的可吸入结晶二氧化硅粉尘颗粒暴露所致。其他由结晶二氧化硅引起的肺部疾病包括易患分枝杆菌感染、阻塞性气道疾病、特发性肺纤维化和肺癌。本综述文章利用各政府机构、相关组织已发表的数据以及流行病学研究结果，讨论了全球发达国家和发展中国家矽肺的负担以及相关合并症。此外，文章还阐述了矽肺的多种发病机制，概述了导致这种职业性肺病的分子事件以及肺实质的特殊改变。对病理生理机制的评估有助于确定新的靶分子和治疗方法；迄今为止，矽肺尚无治愈性治疗方法。近年来，人们将大量注意力集中在开发和制备合适的纳米载体上，以改善肺部系统的药物递送并实现持续给药。基于纳米颗粒的治疗方式已在矽肺模型中进行评估，以延长药物活性并改善治疗效果。临床前研究结果为操作性和再生性纳米制剂的临床试验打开了大门，最终将给医疗实践带来积极改变。以下综述总结了针对矽肺的各种现有治疗方法和正在研发的方法，并强调了有效应对这种职业危害的预防措施。
