Nanotechnology Application

Nanotechnology in Pharmaceutical Applications.

Introduction

Cancer is a genetic disorder caused by DNA mutations that are acquired spontaneously or induced by environmental insults, in which these genetic changes alter the expression or function of key genes that regulates fundamental cellular processes; such as growth, survival and senescence with limitless replication. (1)The word carcinoma was introduced by Hippocrates from the Greek word “Karkinos” which means crab. (2)

Cancer has always been a major concern for governments and researchers. For nearly 40 years, the mainstay of cancer treatment has been the same, consisting of surgical restriction, radiation and/or chemotherapy. The clinical outcomes of these therapies have major side effects

“There’s Plenty of Rooms at the Bottom”, under this title on the evening of December 29th, 1959, Richard Feynman -known as the father of modern Nanotechnology- introduced the concept of manipulating matter at the atomic level, although the term “Nanotechnology” was first used by Norio Taniguchi in 1974. (4)

According to the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions between 1 and 100 nm where unique phenomena enable novel applications. (5)The prefix “Nano” is derived from the Greek word "nannos" which means dwarf. (2)This multidisciplinary field is already part of our daily life and impacts positively in pharmaceutics and healthcare. Products that consist of Nano-scale materials like sunscreens and cosmetics are already available in markets.

This article will provide an overview of nanotechnology in cancer detection and treatment.

Nanotechnology in

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EPR effect was first described in 1986, by Yasuhiro Matsumura and Hiroshi Maeda in murine solid tumors, they have found that the chemical conjugate of Styrene Maleic Acid (SMA) copolymer to the anti-tumor protein neocarzinostatin (NCS)which they designated as "SMANCS", accumulated more effectively in tumor than normal tissues.(9)

Utilization of the EBR effect for tumor drug delivery faces many difficulties, owing to particle detection and uptake by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and the heterogeneity of tumor vasculature.

 Active targeting; Active targeting: or "ligand-mediated particle" is based on the attachment of specific targeting ligand to the surface of nanoparticle that is capable of specific recognition and binding to specific molecule or receptor that is expressed exclusively or preferentially by cancer cells. (10) The targeting ligand can be proteins, antibodies, nucleic acids, vitamins and folate. Whereas Target molecules include proteins, sugar or lipids.