Toward nanotechnology-based solutions for a particular disease: ovarian cancer as an example

Abstract

Recent nanotechnology research has been enhancing or creating new applications that have the potential to advance the diagnosis or therapy of diseases. These contributions to the field of nanomedicine have so far been focused on creating the new technologies rather than focusing on particular diseases in order to improve their outcomes. For the latter to occur, we recommend the following: (1) creation of interdisciplinary research funding that awards collaborations between biological, medical, clinical, and pharmaceutical scientists with their colleagues in engineering, physics, and chemistry, (2) increasing the training of bio-and medical students in the field of nanotechnology, and (3) focusing on specific diseases for creating nano-based solutions. In this review, we focus on ovarian cancer as an example of a disease that could benefit from advances in nanotechnology to enhance its understanding, diagnosis, and therapy. We also stress the need to train biological, medical, clinical, and pharmaceutical students in the field of nanotechnology with presenting results on such training in USA pharmacy schools.

Applications of Nanomaterials in Cancer Diagnosis

“…They are also used in-vivo to target cancer with the help of ligand-receptor interactions or extravasations. Various NPs such as CNTs, micelles, polymers, and liposomes are used in combination with QDs for theranostic purposes or imaging [94]. However, the major issue regarding the use of QDs is the toxicity that remains even after functionalization with different biomolecules.…”

Polymer nanocomposite sunlight spectrum down-converters made by open-air PLD

“…One possible  alternative is polymer nanocomposites filled with the nanoparticles of down-converting compounds of rare-earth (RE) elements. RE compounds have recently found many applications ranging from up-conversion biomarkers for bio-imaging, agents for cancer diagnostics and treatment, additives in solar power materials, to various sensors [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. The advantages of RE-filled polymer nanocomposites as spectral down-converters are threefold: their RE-based phosphor constituents can have high down-converting efficiency [26][27][28][29][30], they are environment friendly, and the polymer matrix offers smooth coating/form shaping.…”

Tumor accumulation of liposomal doxorubicin in three murine models: Optimizing delivery efficiency

“…14, 15 Combination products and drug delivery systems provide the possibility of allowing new approaches for reducing the unwanted side effects of systemic delivery, increasing tumor accumulation, and improving efficacy. 1617–19 However, the lack of quantitative insight into the parameters that control tumor accumulation is a major barrier to progress in the field. Tumor accumulation is an important parameter in developing drug delivery systems for two reasons: (1) it can be optimized by tuning physico-chemical properties, and (2) by optimizing tumor accumulation it is possible to decrease the dose and minimize unwanted side effects due to uptake in normal tissue.…”