Abstract
The rapid growth of nanotechnology towards the development of nanomedicines has improved cancer treatment. Nanomedicine provides the opportunity to implement complex and targeted multifunctional strategies. Today, nanoparticles (NPs) have many uses in a number of scientific fields. In recent years, it has been repeatedly reported that NPs hold a significant place in the regulation of modern medicine by implementing a varying number of clinical approaches like drug carrying substances, genetic material delivery to tumors, as well as in radiography as a contrast media agent. Various nanomaterials based on organic, inorganic, lipid or glycan compounds, and synthetic polymers have been used to develop and improve new cancer treatments. In this chapter, the authors discussed the role of NPs in cancer treatment among various anticancer drug delivery methods.
TopBackground
In recent times, it is being considered that NPs are the best carrier for drug delivery. Nanocarriers can alter the pharmacokinetics of drugs, thereby increasing their efficacy, reducing their negative effects. Metallic particles, lipids, and polymers are substances that can be used as NPs for drug delivery. Different forms and sizes can be developed in accordance with the structure of NPs. Nanocarriers-based Drug delivery systems (DDS) have already entered the global pharmaceutical marketplace. DDS applications are rapidly growing, and future research must emphasize several NPs utilities, i.e., target-oriented drug delivery and concomitant imaging techniques.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Nanocapsules: It is a unique circular shaped nanocarriers, size ranges between 5 to 1000nm, and it is commonly found in the range of 100 to 500 nm. It is usually used for targeted and controlled drug delivery and protect other materials like enzyme, protein, and foreign cells.
Nanoparticles Assorted Hydrogel: Hydrogels are compatible to living organs and also has the ability to store proteins in their original state, so they considered as a good source to deliver the drugs into human body. It is more interesting because it is mainly made up of water and that’s why they become shrink in dry state so, they can bypass the small intestine. In that case, drugs are loaded to them and then released in the body in a controlled manner.
Nanocarriers: These are the nanomaterials used as a carrier to transport some material like drug, as it become unstable when it reaches in gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and also useful for site specific targeting.
Active and Passive Targeting: Active and passive are the two means of targeting nanoparticles. In active targeting, the nanoparticles are actively uptake by the tumor cells while in passive targeting, a location is specified for the nanoparticles in a small place of tumor.
Quantum Dots: It is a semiconductor particle with core shell shape of nanometer size, and it has very specific optical properties. When light passed from the quantum dots then they emit light of different wavelengths.
Organic Nanoparticles: These compounds are one or two dimensional and formed from proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, and size of the radius is smaller than the 100 nm. It has more importance in life sciences as nanobeads.
Inorganic Nanoparticles: In organic nanoparticles are more vital in modern techniques as it can be synthesized easily and cheaply. Therefore, it can be used in multiple of applications.