Image: Human breast cancer cell tagged with quantum dots

Cancer Nanomedicine is developing to cover a wide range of applications from imaging, diagnosing to treating cancers with targeted therapies. Cancer Nanomedicine works on the theory that nanometer sized particles of gold, nanomicelles and quantum dots (QDs) have unique functional properties that differ from other available discrete molecules or bulk materials. These nanomaterials when conjugated with other ligands such as monoclonal antibodies, peptides or small molecules can be used to target tumor cells and microenvironment with incredibly high specificity and affinity. Nanoparticles inherently posses a large surface area. Making them ideal for attaching multiple ligands to to create a single nanoparticle that could be used for both tumor imaging and treatment.

There are several barriers that must be overcome before these new methods can be applied clinically:

Firstly the problem of nanoparticle surface opsonisation must be overcome. Nanoparticle surface opsonisation is the process of attaching proteins and other molecules to the surface of the nanoparticle. At present this process is not efficient enough  with surface ‘fouling’ occurring where nonspecific proteins are attaching to the nanoparticles in place of the desired proteins.

Secondly the problem of nanoparticle tissue retention, targeting and tumor penetration must be addressed. These are all processes that are central to manufacturing an effective diagnostic tool and treatment method using nanoparticles.

Finally and very importantly the issue of nonbiodegradable  nanomaterials containing toxic elements must be investigated. Without an idea of the effects that these particles may have on tissue it would be inconceivable to clinically trial these treatments.

New innovative techniques need to be developed to overcome these stumbling blocks on the road to creating a nanoparticle treatment for Cancer.

To read more about this topic get the free article: Futuremedicine

-CT

Trawling through published literature about nanotechnology I found that the ‘Dummies guide to’ have made a guide to Nanotechnology as a whole. The book gives a great introduction to newcomers and even has a chapter devoted entirely to Medical applications of Nanotechnology. The book aims to give a weel roudned introduction to what nanotechnology means. Including what it may mean to us in the future. A great read. Check it out at Amazon for £11.99- CT

A great website to get anyone interested and up to date with current nanotechnology should head over to the Institute of Nanotechnology website. You can subscribe to the institute and gain many perks. they offer seminars and taught courses in nanotechnology.

I have been reading “Plenty of Room for Biology at the Bottom” recently. The book focuses on giving an introduction into Biotechnology and Bionanotechnology, which is very accessible for anybody with a grounding in chemistry or biology. The book covers topics from the natural process of Nano-scale biological assembly to Bionanotechnologies possible future Medical applications. There is a fascinating small chapter concluding the book discussing what E. Gazit believes the future holds for bionanotechology and its possible dangers.

I found this book brought the main concepts of Bionanotechnology across very well and clearly. It would be a very good first read for anybody wishing to know more about the fascinating developing science of Bionanotechnology – CT

“Plenty of Room for Biology at the Bottom, An Introduction to Bionantechnology”, E.Gazit, Imperial college press 2007

Can be found from the publisher at: ICPress