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Nanotechnology based therapeutic application in cancer diagnosis and therapy
1School of Agriculture Science, Liaocheng University, No. 1 Hunan Road, Liaocheng, Shandong China.
Abstract:
Due to the lack of early diagnosis, cancer remains as one of the leading cause of human mortality. Inability to translate research into clinical trials and also inability of chemotherapeutics delivery to targeted tumor sites are major drawbacks in cancer therapeutics. With the emergence of nanomedicine, several nanoprobes (conjugated with targeting ligands and chemotherapeutic drugs) are developed. It can interact with biological system and thus sense and monitor the biological events with high efficiency and accuracy along with therapy application. Nanoparticles like gold and iron oxide are frequently used in the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging applications, respectively. Moreover, enzymatic activity of gold and iron oxide nanoparticles enables the visible colorimetric diagnostic of cancer cells, whereas, fluorescence property of quantum dots and upconversion nanoparticles helps in in vivo imaging application. Other than this, drug conjugation with nanoparticles also reduces the systemic toxic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs. Due to their several unique intrinsic properties, nanoparticles itself can also be employed as therapeutics in cancer treatment by photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). Thus, the main focus of this review is to emphasize on current progress in diagnostic and therapeutic application of nanoprobes in cancer.
Insights
Nanomedicine offers advanced cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Nanoprobes, utilizing nanoparticles, improve early detection, targeted drug delivery, and treatment via photothermal and photodynamic therapies, reducing side effects.
Area of Science:
- Nanomedicine
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality due to diagnostic challenges and limitations in targeted chemotherapy delivery.
- Existing cancer therapeutics face drawbacks in clinical translation and efficient drug distribution to tumor sites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nanoprobes in cancer treatment.
- To highlight the role of nanomedicine in overcoming current limitations in cancer care.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing nanoparticles (gold, iron oxide, quantum dots, upconversion nanoparticles) for diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI, colorimetric, in vivo fluorescence).
- Conjugating nanoprobes with targeting ligands and chemotherapeutic drugs for enhanced delivery and reduced toxicity.
- Employing nanoparticles directly as therapeutics via photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles enable precise cancer cell sensing, monitoring, and diagnosis through various imaging modalities.
- Drug-conjugated nanoparticles improve therapeutic efficacy and minimize systemic side effects.
- Nanoparticles themselves demonstrate therapeutic potential through PTT and PDT.
Conclusions:
- Nanoprobes represent a significant breakthrough in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, offering improved accuracy and targeted treatment.
- The integration of nanomedicine into clinical practice holds great promise for enhancing cancer patient outcomes and reducing mortality.
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