ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology is developing rapidly in various industrial applications, medical imaging, disease diagnosis, drug delivery, cancer treatment, gene therapy and many more. However, some concerns have been expressed about risks posed by engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), their potential to cause undesirable effects, contaminate the environment and adversely affect susceptible parts of the population. Thus, substantial attention has to be paid to the potential risks of Nanoparticles. Some studies showed that numerous types of Nanoparticles are able to pass certain biological barriers and exert toxic effects on crucial organs like brain, liver, kidney and skin. Recently some of the studies showed that there may be reproductive toxicity of the nanomaterials. Nanotechnology is at the cutting edge of rapid technological development as it has many potential human health benefits, but it is perceived with some apprehension for its potential human health risks
ABSTRACT
Prostate cancer poses a serious threat to the health of men with an increasing incidence in China. In recent years, great progress has been made in surgical and pharmaceutical treatment, but there are few promising techniques for early diagnosis of prostate cancer or therapeutics for advanced prostate cancer. Engineered nanomaterials have emerged and shown great potential in early diagnosis, precisely targeted therapies and synergistic therapeutics for prostate cancer because of unique physicochemical properties, such as size on the nanoscale, large specific surface area, high drug loading efficiency, fluorescence excitation ability and photothermal/photodynamic effect. This review focused on the new diagnoses and treatment strategies in prostate cancer with engineered nanomaterials, by summarizing the advancement of engineered nanomaterials in improving the sensitivity of molecular biology and imaging diagnosis, targeted guidance in surgery, sensitization of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and targeted drug delivery.
ABSTRACT
Adverse effects form a major part of the drawbacks of the current therapeutics. The two main reasons are: Distribution of drugs to an area, which is not the desired site of action and another is attaining higher than desired concentration at the site of action. Nanomedicine raises hopes to overcome these problems. Nanomedicine is the medical use of nanobiotechnology. It is a relatively newer technology based on the uses of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). ENMs are medical materials available in nanometer (one-millionth of a millimeter) scale. Because of nanoscale, the molecules acquire changes in their physicochemical properties which are utilized for easier and more thorough penetration in cells. Nanomedicine has shown promising results both in diagnostics as well as therapeutics e.g. in oncology and diseases of central nervous system. Nanoparticle targeting and neuroelectronic interface raises hopes for a number of clinical disorders for which the satisfactory treatment is currently not available. The most striking use can be repairs at a molecular level. Like other modalities of treatment, nanomedicine also has disadvantages; however, currently the benefits outweigh the risks. It will be interesting to see how the rising ethical concerns will be dealt with.
ABSTRACT
Adverse effects form a major part of the drawbacks of the current therapeutics. The two main reasons are: Distribution of drugs to an area, which is not the desired site of action and another is attaining higher than desired concentration at the site of action. Nanomedicine raises hopes to overcome these problems. Nanomedicine is the medical use of nanobiotechnology. It is a relatively newer technology based on the uses of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). ENMs are medical materials available in nanometer (one-millionth of a millimeter) scale. Because of nanoscale, the molecules acquire changes in their physicochemical properties which are utilized for easier and more thorough penetration in cells. Nanomedicine has shown promising results both in diagnostics as well as therapeutics e.g. in oncology and diseases of central nervous system. Nanoparticle targeting and neuroelectronic interface raises hopes for a number of clinical disorders for which the satisfactory treatment is currently not available. The most striking use can be repairs at a molecular level. Like other modalities of treatment, nanomedicine also has disadvantages; however, currently the benefits outweigh the risks. It will be interesting to see how the rising ethical concerns will be dealt with.