Nanotechnology: a revolution in targeted drug delivery

Abstract

Targeted drug delivery is a method of delivering medication in a unique way so that the concentration of the drug at the target site is optimized, burden of the drug to other tissues is reduced and toxicity minimized. There are various novel approaches to deliver drugs to the target sites in the form of nanocapsules, nanocrystals, nanoemulsions, dendrimers, polymeric micelles, nanotubes and monoclonal antibodies. They have the advantages of improved bioavailability, facilitated transport of drugs across difficult barriers to reach the target tissues for a specific action and providing protection to protect the drug against degradation. A number of anticancer drugs like Doxorubicin, Paclitaxel and 5-Fluorouracil have been formulated using nanoparticles. These innovative techniques have helped to overcome the limitations like resistance in the target cells and difficulty in movement across the barriers which are seen in the conventional drug delivery system. Apart from being a therapeutic tool, it also has brought revolution in early diagnosis of diseases and gene transfer. The surge of nanotechnology is now being translated into commercialized products. The future is exciting, and the promises are limitless as the application of nanotechnology in medicine will provide remarkable opportunities and newer perspectives for novel and effective treatment in various diseases.