Volume : IV, Issue : I, January - 2014

Nanomedicines Targeting Cancer: Current Status and Future Prospects of the Therapeutic and Diagnostic Approaches

Foram Shukla, Shivang Parikh

Abstract :

Nanotechnology provides a variety of nanoscale tools for medicine. Applications of nanotechnology for treatment, diagnosis, monitoring, and control of biological systems has been referred to as nanomedicine by the National Institutes of Health. Research into the rational delivery and targeting of pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and diagnostic agents is at the forefront of projects in nanomedicine. Cancer nanotherapeutics are rapidly progressing and are being implemented to solve several limitations of conventional drug delivery systems such as nonspecific biodistribution and targeting, lack of water solubility, poor oral bioavailability, and low therapeutic indices. Current progress in nanotechnology and nanomedicine has exploited the possibility of designing tumor-targeted nanocarriers able to deliver conjugates in a selective manner to improve the efficacy and safety of cancer imaging and therapy. Nanoparticles for cancer have been designed for optimal size and surface characteristics to increase their circulation time in the bloodstream to improve the biodistribution of drugs which are carried in their loaded active form to cancer cells by selectively using the unique pathophysiology of tumors, such as their enhanced permeability and retention effect and the tumor microenvironment. Nanoparticles have the ability to accumulate in cells without being recognized by P-glycoprotein, one of the main mediators of multidrug resistance, resulting in the increased intracellular concentration of drugs. Ultimately, integrated nanotherapeutic systems may prove essential to address the challenges of tumor heterogeneity and adaptive resistance to achieve efficacious treatment of cancer. Today, nanotechnology and nanoscience approaches to particle design and formulation are beginning to expand the market for many drugs and are forming the basis for a highly profitable niche within the healthcare. The review article will highlight the rational therapeutic and diagnostic approaches of nanoscale vehicles and entities involved for site-specific drug delivery and medical imaging for tumor affected cells.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Foram Shukla, Shivang Parikh Nanomedicines Targeting Cancer: Current Status and Future Prospects of the Therapeutic and Diagnostic Approaches Indian Journal of Applied Research, Vol.IV, Issue. I

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