Nanomedicines in Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer: An Update.

Nanomedicine has revolutionized the field of cancer detection and treatment by enabling the delivery of imaging agents and therapeutics into cancer cells. Cancer diagnostic and therapeutic agents can be either encapsulated or conjugated to nanosystems and accessed to the tumor environment through the passive targeting approach (EPR effect) of the designed nanomedicine. It may also actively target the tumor exploiting conjugation of targeting moiety (like antibody, peptides, vitamins, and hormones) to the surface of the nanoparticulate system. Different diagnostic agents (like contrast agents, radionuclide probes and fluorescent dyes) are conjugated with the multifunctional nanoparticulate system to achieve simultaneous cancer detection along with targeted therapy. Nowadays targeted drug delivery, as well as the early cancer diagnosis is a key research area where nanomedicine is playing a crucial role. This review encompasses the significant recent advancements in drug delivery as well as molecular imaging and diagnosis of cancer exploiting polymer-based, lipid-based and inorganic nanoparticulate systems.

Role of Graphene Nano-Composites in Cancer Therapy: Theranostic Applications, Metabolic Fate and Toxicity Issues.

Graphene and its modified nano-composites have gained much attention in recent times in cancer therapy as nanotheranostics due to low production cost, ease in synthesis and physicochemical properties (ultra-large surface area with planar structure and π-π conjugation with the unsaturated and aromatic drugs/biomolecules) being favorable for multiple payloads and drug targeting. Yet, graphene nano-composites are a relatively new and rapid development. The adoption of graphene nano-composites in cancer nanobiomedicine research raises questions about in vivo metabolism and disposition as well as biological interaction and safety profile of these nano-particles. Limited in-vitro and in-vivo findings are available in literature, indicating the inconsistencies about the factors affecting in-vivo bio-interaction and toxicity. Presently, there is a lack of anticipated biodistribution and toxicity pattern of graphene. It appears that surface functionalization, biocompatible coating, and size are the key factors in determining the metabolic fate of graphene nano-composites. In-vitro and in-vivo toxicity data suggests that graphene nano-composites exhibit dose and size dependent toxicity. This review summarizes up-to-date research outcome of this promising inorganic nanomaterial for cancer therapy. Moreover, the metabolic fate and toxicity issues of graphene and its nano-composites shall also be discussed in detail.