Potential applications of nanotechnology for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer

Abstract

Despite improvements in our understanding of pancreatic cancer and the emerging concept of personalized medicine for the treatment of this disease, it is still the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the western world. It is established that pancreatic cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease with a complex tumor microenvironment. Indeed the extensive stroma surrounding the cancer cells has been shown to be important in promoting tumor growth and metastases, as well as sequestering chemotherapeutic agents consequently decreasing delivery to the tumor cells. Nanotechnology has come to the forefront in the areas of medical diagnostics, imaging, and therapeutic drug delivery. This review will focus on the potential applications of nanotechnology for diagnosis, imaging, and delivery of therapeutic agents for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Liposomes and Nanotechnology in Drug Development: Focus On Pancreatic Cancer

“…We demonstrated that HA-conjugated liposomes received higher cell-to-CD44 expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma than unconjugated liposomes [12].…”

“…This review shows that anti-CA199 cys-diabody providing exact molecular imaging in cancer xenograft models demonstrates target binding of pancreatic tumor cells with distributing good treatment to the target site [12,37]. Improvement in the five years survival rate of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) quickly required.…”

“…This review will emphasis nanotechnology applications and liposomes for imaging, diagnosis the disease and delivery of the therapeutic medications for pancreatic tumor treatment [12]. The pancreatic tumor is an extremely challenging illness due to its resistance to radiotherapy and traditional chemotherapy.…”

Can Nanotechnology help push the Limit for Early Cancer Diagnostics?

“…Unfortunately, most tumors are detectable only when they reach a certain size and contain millions of cells that may have already metastasized (transfer of disease from one organ or part of the body to another not directly (SPION) have been reconnoitered as potential contrast agents for cancer imaging. In more advanced development in cancer imaging, nanotechnology promises to improvise the current existing imaging platforms such as endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) or MRI cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) for pancreatic cancer imaging of pancreatic cancer [6,7]. Nanotechnology also offers tremendous opportunities in diagnosis of cervical cancer compared to commonly used techniques of cytology and HPV detection, which are challenged due to the lack of sensitivity, especially in detecting pre-invasive cervical cancers.…”

Emerging therapies for pancreatic ductal carcinoma

“…While not covered in this review, McCarroll et al extensively evaluates how nanoformulations can improve contrast agents and in turn outcomes. [14] 1.2 Pathophysiology of the tumor PDAC is a solid tumor that is unique for its intricate stroma that makes up most of its mass. The stroma is composed of myofibroblasts, endothelial cells, pericytes, and immune cells along with its extracellular matrix (ECM).…”