Nanotechnology Enabled Cancer Breakthroughs

Nanoparticles and nanomaterials with remarkable physiochemical properties have been used for applications such as early cancer detection, tumor imaging and drug delivery. This article will provide an overview of how nanotechnology has assisted with breakthroughs in cancer research. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported cancer as the leading cause of mortality, with devastating global statistics such as 10 million deaths.

A few risk factors for this disease include smoking, alcohol, low fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity, as well as having a high body mass index. Additionally, infections such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis can also be oncogenic drivers, which may account for 30% of cancer-related cases in low to middle-income countries.

As a result of the high mortality rate associated with most cancer types, early diagnosis has been a high priority for researchers to manage and prevent disease progression and ensure effective treatment. Early cancer detection has been described to significantly improve the 5-year survival rate of patients, enabling a better prognosis. Current cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, which can all result in damage to healthy tissue as well as inefficient eradication of the cancerous tissue The emergence of nanotechnology has enabled the advancement of the medical field, as it can increase the targetability of therapies to cancerous areas; this would ensure the preservation of healthy tissue – a major concern for conventional cancer treatments. This can result in targeted treatment, decreasing the risk of co-morbidities and increasing patients’ survival rate Drug Delivery

Nanoparticles are smaller than normal drug molecules, existing within the nanoscale, which is between 1 and 100 nm in size. The use of these particles as nanocarriers to carry drugs can be revolutionary for drug delivery applications within cancer research as drugs within this unique carrier also has the ability to pass the blood-brain barrier, enabling treatment of brain cancers, such as glioblastoma mult iforme.

Additionally, the surface functionalization of these particles, which involves the use of ligands including but not limited to, DNA, peptides and antibodies, can further improve the precise targeting of nanoparticles. This can ensure the particles are directed effectively in vivo to efficiently deliver drugs to the area of concern.

The use of nanoparticles for chemotherapy treatment can greatly advance patient experience and improve both the quality of life of patients due to decreased toxicity as well as increased survival rate