268
A. S. Shinde et al.
been increasingly found suitable in the development of optimized nano-carriers as
favorable candidates for clinical trials.
8 Nanomaterials in Medicine
Nanomedical approaches have been a major transforming factor in diagnosis and
therapies for various ailments. There have been made significant efforts devoted to
developing suitable nanotechnological platforms to improve drug delivery to the
targeted area. Multiple nanoscale carriers such as inorganic, polymeric, carbonbased, lipid-based, and protein-based nanoparticles have been developed for this
purpose. This section discusses various nanomaterials used as drug delivery systems
towards infected areas.
9 Nanoparticle Targeting in Cancer Cells
Almost all anticancer drugs are the basis for injuring the normal cells, along with
the cancer cells. During cancer chemotherapy, optimum dose and frequency are the
prime factors. Now more focused efforts are attempted in killing the cancer cells
using target specificity while sparing the normal cells. As compared to conventional
cancer therapies, nanoparticulate drug delivery systems dispense better penetrations
of therapeutic and diagnostic molecules inside the cancer tissue. Nanoparticles are
formulated to take advantage of basic cancer cell morphology and to identify them
based on their means of development, such as rapid cell proliferation, expression of
antigen, leaky tumor vasculature, etc. It is crucial to develop nano-carriers for drug
delivery in such a way that small doses of the chemotherapeutic agents could be
delivered in an active form and controlled drug distribution within the body.
In cancer chemotherapy, nano-carriers are at an advantage over the free drug
delivery. Here the drug is protected from premature degradation, prevention from
early interaction with the biological environment, enhanced absorption into the solid
tumor, improved intracellular penetration, controlling of drug kinetics and drug tissue
distribution profile [47]. Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems are designed with the
help of specific targeting agents for cancer cells. The targeting moieties are diverse
ligands (such as peptides, aptamers, antibodies, and small molecules) that hold a
high affinity towards distinctive signatures. They may also help in protecting the
NPs from the enzymatic destruction and minimize the uptake of the drug by the
healthy cells [48]. Hence, the enhanced retention and entry of the agent in tumor
cells. Ligand molecules attached as a targeting agent on the surface of the nanocarriers will recognize and bind specifically to the receptor antigens on the cell
surface. Even with the help of the antibody conjugated therapeutic agent, we can
increase drug targeting efficacy.
A. S. Shinde et al.
been increasingly found suitable in the development of optimized nano-carriers as
favorable candidates for clinical trials.
8 Nanomaterials in Medicine
Nanomedical approaches have been a major transforming factor in diagnosis and
therapies for various ailments. There have been made significant efforts devoted to
developing suitable nanotechnological platforms to improve drug delivery to the
targeted area. Multiple nanoscale carriers such as inorganic, polymeric, carbonbased, lipid-based, and protein-based nanoparticles have been developed for this
purpose. This section discusses various nanomaterials used as drug delivery systems
towards infected areas.
9 Nanoparticle Targeting in Cancer Cells
Almost all anticancer drugs are the basis for injuring the normal cells, along with
the cancer cells. During cancer chemotherapy, optimum dose and frequency are the
prime factors. Now more focused efforts are attempted in killing the cancer cells
using target specificity while sparing the normal cells. As compared to conventional
cancer therapies, nanoparticulate drug delivery systems dispense better penetrations
of therapeutic and diagnostic molecules inside the cancer tissue. Nanoparticles are
formulated to take advantage of basic cancer cell morphology and to identify them
based on their means of development, such as rapid cell proliferation, expression of
antigen, leaky tumor vasculature, etc. It is crucial to develop nano-carriers for drug
delivery in such a way that small doses of the chemotherapeutic agents could be
delivered in an active form and controlled drug distribution within the body.
In cancer chemotherapy, nano-carriers are at an advantage over the free drug
delivery. Here the drug is protected from premature degradation, prevention from
early interaction with the biological environment, enhanced absorption into the solid
tumor, improved intracellular penetration, controlling of drug kinetics and drug tissue
distribution profile [47]. Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems are designed with the
help of specific targeting agents for cancer cells. The targeting moieties are diverse
ligands (such as peptides, aptamers, antibodies, and small molecules) that hold a
high affinity towards distinctive signatures. They may also help in protecting the
NPs from the enzymatic destruction and minimize the uptake of the drug by the
healthy cells [48]. Hence, the enhanced retention and entry of the agent in tumor
cells. Ligand molecules attached as a targeting agent on the surface of the nanocarriers will recognize and bind specifically to the receptor antigens on the cell
surface. Even with the help of the antibody conjugated therapeutic agent, we can
increase drug targeting efficacy.