Conscripts of the infinite armada: systemic cancer therapy using nanomaterials

Abstract

The field of clinical nanomaterials is enlarging steadily, with more than a billion US dollars of funding allocated to research by US government agencies in the past decade. The first generation of anti-cancer agents using novel nanomaterials has successfully entered widespread use. Newer nanomaterials are garnering increasing interest as potential multifunctional therapeutic agents; these drugs are conferred novel properties, by virtue of their size and shape. The new features of these agents could potentially allow increased cancer selectivity, changes in pharmacokinetics, amplification of cytotoxic effects, and simultaneous imaging capabilities. After attachment to cancer target reactive-ligands, which interact with cell-surface antigens or receptors, these new constructs can deliver cytolytic and imaging payloads. The molecules also introduce new challenges for drug development. While nanoscale molecules are of a similar size to proteins, the paradigms for how cells, tissues and organs of the body react to the non-biological materials are not well understood, because most cellular and metabolic processes have evolved to deal with globular, enzyme degradable molecules. We discuss examples of different materials to illustrate interesting principles for development and future applications of these nanomaterial medicines with emphasis on the possible pharmacologic and safety hurdles for accomplishing therapeutic goals.

Liposomes Containing Phytochemicals for Cancer Treatment-an Update

“…Nano-delivery systems have been developed to treat several diseases like cancer, diabetes, allergy, infections, asthma and neurological disorders [8,9]. Indeed, a Nano sized carriers have the ability to improve biopharmaceutical parameters, pharmacokinetic properties and the therapeutic efficacy of the entrapped drugs [10]. A wide range of materials has been utilised to fabricate the Nanocarriers, including lipids [11][12][13].…”

A novel visible light responsive nanosystem for cancer treatment

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] In recent years scientists have not only been focused on loading as much drug as possible but also on achieving a premature zero release system to avoid the appearance of undesirable side effects. 7 For this purpose several smart drug delivery nanodevices capable of releasing their cargo only after exposition to an internal or external stimulus have been designed. 8 Among the different stimuli (pH, enzymes, ultrasounds, magnetic fields, etc.…”

Imaging and treating tumor vasculature with targeted radiolabeled carbon nanotubes

“…Carbon nanomaterials are being investigated as delivery platforms for diagnostic and therapeutic cargoes to target disease. 1,2 Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of soluble, covalently-functionalized, radiolabeled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have demonstrated rapid blood compartment clearance, high specific activity (SA), multimodal imaging capability, renal elimination, and tumor-specific accumulation in vivo. [3][4][5][6] Implementation of an imaging and therapeutic drug construct that is designed to target, report location, and irradiate the tumor vessels is a key strategic modification that will take advantage of the single wall CNT (SWCNT)-based construct's chemical, radiochemical, and PK properties.…”

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Abstract: Single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) constructs were covalently appended with radiometal-ion chelates (1,4,7,4,7, or desferrioxamine B [DFO]) and the tumor neovascular-targeting antibody E4G10. The E4G10 antibody specifically targeted the monomeric vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cad) epitope expressed in the tumor angiogenic vessels.

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