Advances in Cancer Treatment: Role of Nanoparticles

Abstract

This chapter is devoted to the advances in the field of nanoparticles-mediated cancer treatment. A special attention is devoted to the use of magnetite and silver nanoparticles. The synthesis and properties of Fe 3 O 4 and Ag nanoparticles as contrast or antitumoral agents as monolith or component of more complex systems such as polymer matrix composite materials based on: polymers (chitosan, collagen, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylates, and polymethacrylates, polylactic acid, etc.) and various antitumoral agents (cytostatics, natural agents and even nanoparticlesmagnetite, silver, or gold) are discussed. Special attention is paid for the benefits and risks of using silver and magnetite nanoparticles. In both cases, the discussion focuses on aspects related to diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The influence of size and shape [1-3] is important from the materials characteristics as well as from the biological points of view. The role of magnetite is also analyzed from the point of view of its influence on the delivery of different components of interests (antitumoral components, analgesics/anti-inflammatory agents, etc.). The potentiating effect of the nanoparticles over the cytostatics and natural components is highlighted.

Magnetite (Fe3O4) Nanoparticles in Biomedical Application: From Synthesis to Surface Functionalisation

“…Once the drug is loaded (drug-loaded MNP), an external magnetic field is utilised to guide the drug-loaded MNP to the desired cancer site. The drug release is influenced by various factors, such as osmolality, enzymatic activity, changes in pH, temperature, electromagnetic trigger, and dual or poly-sensitivity [143][144][145]. High drug loading and fast drug-release efficiency are important parameters in the drug delivery system.…”

Improving therapeutic potential of non-viral minimized DNA vectors

“…The field of nanotechnology takes advantage of the benefits provided by nanometer-sized particles [ 84 ], and the advances made in this field could potentially be used to inform the design of the next generation of minimized DNA vectors. Nanoparticle size is important not only for cellular internalization but also for retention [ 85 , 86 ], as persistence can have major implications for therapeutic delivery and gene expression. Cancer-targeting nanoparticles less than 100 nm in diameter freely diffuse through tumor pores and accumulate within tumors [ 86 , 87 ].…”

“…Nanotechnology has the potential to address chronic diseases through controlled, site-specific delivery of precise medicine [ 84 , 106 – 109 ], as well as through the development of multimodality agents with both imaging and therapeutic capabilities [ 85 , 108 , 110 , 111 ]. Nanoparticles have great potential for the treatment of cancer and other diseases [ 85 , 96 ]. Obstacles still remain, however.…”

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology: Plant Nanoparticles for Anti-Cancer Therapy

“…Cancer is one of the most common death causing disease worldwide and it is characterized by uncontrolled rapid cell division and differentiation [ 7 ]. The lack of a suitable drug delivery system is the main cause of failure as far as treatment is concerned despite the availability of several chemotherapeutic agents.…”