ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology has changed the entire paradigm of drug targeting and has shown tremendous potential in the area of cancer therapy due to its specificity. In cancer, several targets have been explored which could be utilized for the better treatment of disease. Mitochondria, the so-called powerhouse of cell, portrays significant role in the survival and death of cells, and has emerged as potential target for cancer therapy. Direct targeting and nanotechnology based approaches can be tailor-made to target mitochondria and thus improve the survival rate of patients suffering from cancer. With this backdrop, in present review, we have reemphasized the role of mitochondria in cancer progression and inhibition, highlighting the different targets that can be explored for targeting of disease. Moreover, we have also summarized different nanoparticulate systems that have been used for treatment of cancer via mitochondrial targeting.
ABSTRACT
Nanomedicines refers to nanotechnology inspired pharmaceutical products often referred to as 'nanopharmaceuticals.' It has displayed commendable potential in enhancing therapeutic efficacy as well as in reducing the side effects associated with conventional drug counterpart. Recent years have monitored the entry of a large amount of nanomedicine in the market with an appreciable market share to date. Despite this, the development of nanomedicine is posing challenges (i.e., safety, regulatory hurdles, cost, scale-up issues, etc.) that need to be resolved for their market entry. This review presents a cross-sectional discussion on the nanomedicine-derived products available in the market for both clinical and diagnostic applications. An overview of its market potential, market size, and the products that are currently in the clinical stages is also provided. The review also expounds on the challenges faced by nano-drug products at the time of their commercialization.
