Nanocarriers: The Promising Future to Cancer Diagnostics and Treatment

Abstract

Nanotechnology recently gained attention for the novel and successful tools it has thus far provided for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Some of them include lipid-based carriers such as liposomes and metal-based particles such as nanoshells (NSs), used for anti-cancer drug delivery for the most part. Each one of these systems has been carefully designed in order to bypass the obstacles brought forward by conventional diagnosis and treatment strategies. These challenges include non-specificity, premature drug release and toxicity. From research conducted over the years it is clear that nanocarriers ameliorate bioavailability, specificity and accumulation of the drugs at the target site. These improvements can be explained by their easily adjustable physical and chemical properties. Alterations to their size and surface structure are often made to enhance their accumulation at the target sites and overall targeting capabilities respectively. Some nanocarriers such as quantum dots (QDs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) display excellent fluorescent properties and are useful candidates for imaging techniques and fluorescence-guided surgery. Another group of promising nanoparticles is biomimetic nanoparticles that mimic the functionality of biological components. These NPs are designed to mimic basic cellular and physical features of the source cells and their surface. This type of NPs construct is exploited for its unique characteristics that aid in effective interaction with complex biological systems, consequently enhancing therapeutic outcomes After establishing them as adequate tools for drug delivery and imaging, nanocarriers are now being tested in combined cancer treatment strategies. This review provides an understanding of the salient nano-devices and their applications in oncology.