Nanotechnology in cancer therapy: An overview and perspectives (Review)

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the study and use of structures between 1 nanometer and 100 nanometers in size. Cancer is the leading cause of death among people younger than 85 years. Nanoparticles that deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to cancer cells are under development. Nanomaterials are increasingly used as drug carriers for cancer therapy. Nanomaterials also appeal to researchers in the areas of cancer diagnosis and biomarker discovery. Among the newly developed nanomedicine and nanodevices such as quantum dots, nanowires, nanotubes, nanocantilevers, and nanopores, nanoshells and nanoparticles are the most promising applications for various cancer treatments. This article aims at giving an overview of the present status of nanotechnology in cancer therapy and the prospects of nanomaterials as drug carriers for future clinical applications are also discussed. Keywords: Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine, Application of nanomedicine, Nanomedicine for cancer, Risks of nanotechnology.