Advantages and risks of nanotechnologies in cancer patients and occupationally exposed workers

Abstract

Despite the great promise that NPs show, few studies have examined the human body's reaction due to NP exposure in both patients and workers. To perform this type of evaluation, it is necessary to define an adequate index of exposure, and the measure of this index is representative of what the worker is breathing. The properties of the nanomaterials used for designing NPs, such as in the case of poorly biocompatible materials (carbon nanotubes or heavy metals), and their chemical composition (as in the case of liposomes) largely contribute in determining potential side effects. Awareness of the levels of particles, which can cause health effects, is necessary for the workers and exposed patients.

Carbon nanotubes: Properties, biomedical applications, advantages and risks in patients and occupationally-exposed workers

“…14 Workers are involved with CNTs throughout the nanomaterial lifecycle, from research in laboratories, through start-up efforts, manufacture, incorporation of CNTs into products, manipulating CNT containing products, and finally through disposal and recycling of CNTs. 1,15 Proposed occupational air exposure limits (OELs) for specific types of CNTs have ranged in literature from approximately 2 to 50 mg/m 3 based on the estimated risk of non-cancerous adverse lung effects (inflammation and fibrosis). 15 The main work practice recommendations described are: containing tasks in processes that could result in the release of airborne CNTs in the workplace; handling of CNT as slurries rather than dry powders where possible; and dispensing, weighing, or sonication processes should be performed on well-designed ventilated benches or in effective ventilated exposures, performing initial and periodic area and personal exposure monitoring.…”

“…11 These novel approaches in drug delivery were first used to bind antineoplastic and antibiotic drugs to CNTs for cancer and infection treatment, respectively. 1 …”

“…1 The chemotherapy agents can be bound to a complex formed by CNT and antibody against antigen overexpressed on the cancerous cell surface. In this way it is possible to carry the drug mostly at the level of the tumor cells.…”

“…NPs may produce potential toxicity on human neural cells because of their ability to pass through biological membranes. 1 Effects from the presence (or even accumulation) of NPs in the brain and through the BBB have not yet been fully studied (Figure 2).…”

“…In addition to direct ingestion, a proportion of inhaled particulate materials are eventually removed via the GIT, after being mobilized up the trachea via the mucociliary escalator ( Figure 2). 1 GIT is a selective mucosal barrier that represents a considerable surface area, estimated at 300 m 2 in the adult human, for potential interaction with NPs. 1 CNTs have greater absorption in GIT for their smaller size but they had little adverse effects on GIT.…”