Will Nanotechnology Influence Targeted Cancer Therapy?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semradonc.2010.10.003Get rights and content

The rapid development of techniques that enable synthesis (and manipulation) of matter on the nanometer scale and the development of new nanomaterials will play a large role in disease diagnosis and treatment, specifically in targeted cancer therapy. Targeted nanocarriers are an intriguing means to selectively deliver high concentrations of cytotoxic agents or imaging labels directly to the cancer site. Often, solubility issues and an unfavorable biodistribution can result in a suboptimal response of novel agents even though they are very potent. New nanoparticulate formulations allow simultaneous imaging and therapy (“theranostics”), which can provide a realistic means for the clinical implementation of such otherwise suboptimal formulations. In this review, we did not attempt to provide a complete overview of the rapidly enlarging field of nanotechnology in cancer; rather, we presented properties specific to nanoparticles and examples of their uses, which show their importance for targeted cancer therapy.

Section snippets

Properties of Nanoparticles

Interestingly, a range of properties displayed by nanosized materials differs significantly from their mesoscale relatives made of the same materials. These include mechanical, thermal, optical, mechanical, and catalytic properties. This is of importance because a large portion of the universe of biological activities that proceeds at the level of the cell surface in glomerular filtration, protein and DNA synthesis, modification and degradation, or hepatic clearance occurs at the nanoscale.

Enhanced Permeability and Retention

The enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect describes the relative and passive accumulation of macromolecules inside of tumors. This is generally explained by the presence of the high permeability of the tumor vasculature in combination with compromised lymphatic drainage, which allows the accumulation and subsequent retention of macromolecules. Consequently, in such areas (mostly tumors and inflamed or infarcted tissues), large molecules and particles ranging from 10 to 500 nm in size

Toxicity Issues

The safety of nanoparticles is attracting the attention of the Food and Drug Administration and also the public and especially the EPA, which is starting to look into the regulation of nanotechnology. As nanotechnology progresses to commercialization and more widespread applications, it is likely that nanomaterials and nanoproducts will be released into the environment, potentially causing harm to the public. It is conceivable that hazards introduced by nanoparticles are different from those

Conclusions

Will nanotechnology influence targeted cancer therapy? In this review, we focused on nanoparticles and discussed that these particles can be applied to fit the requirements and needs for individual applications. By choosing the right size, shape, coating, and charge as well as targeting moiety (Fig. 7), the fate of the particles in the body can be well predicted. Nonspecific targeting of the particles can already be achieved via the EPR effect and can be made more efficient by using targeting

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    DAS is a consultant to Encyse Pharmaceuticals, a nanotechnology company.

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