Cancer is a worldwide threat and there is no efficient cure for many types of this disease which is caused by damage to genes that control cell growth and division. The most important definitive feature of cancer is abnormal cell divisions that occur in various parts of the body and can spread to other organs (Nayak KA.& Pal D., 2010). The abnormal cell division suppresses the tissue or organ that it surrounds, preventing the tissue or organ from functioning. Early diagnosis is an important consideration in cancer treatment. It is difficult to diagnose cancer in the early stages with traditional diagnostic methods. Advances in nanotechnology, which is a multidisciplinary science, offers important opportunities in terms of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Cancer-causing factors can be grouped into two groups, roughly genetically and environmentally. Only 1% of cancers are caused by genetic transport. Disorders in some genes acquired by heredity cause cancer especially in childhood. However, disorders in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 can cause cancer in older ages. For example, in women with these mutated genes, the risk of breast cancer has been observed to increase by 80% compared to the normal population (Ephrat PE. & Sharon LL, 2003). The remaining 99% of cancers depend on people's eating habits, working conditions, living environments, natural or artificial radiation to which they are exposed, and carcinogenic chemicals. These are called environmental cancer risk factors.In cancer treatments, non-invasively real-time monitoring is a very important issue to determine the progress of healing. And the chemicals used in the treatment have cytotoxic properties, but these drugs must only kill the cancer cells. Practically, we can observe the cytotoxic effects on the cells and show drug efficiency. Also, animals are useful models for these kinds of experiments. On the other hand, these drugs kill normal cells too. This is the situation that we don’t want to as cancer researchers. The cancer researchers try to improve the platforms with high efficiency for cancer treatment, which don’t kill healthy cells, carry the drug to the exact desired point (cancer tissue), and be monitored by the doctors. In this book; we mention cancer treatment, diagnosis with nanotechnology relations, and polymer and lipid-based nanotheranostic platforms.
Table of Contents
1. Using Nanotechnology in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
2. Polymer-based Cancer Nanotheranostics
3. Lipid-based Cancer Nanotheranostics
Objectives & Topics
The primary objective of this work is to explore the role of nanotechnology in oncology, specifically focusing on the development and application of polymer- and lipid-based nanotheranostic platforms. The text addresses the critical need for diagnostic and therapeutic systems that enable real-time monitoring and targeted drug delivery while minimizing cytotoxicity to healthy tissues.
- The evolution of cancer diagnosis and treatment through nanotechnology.
- The concept of "theranostics" as a hybrid platform for personalized medicine.
- Advantages and challenges of polymeric nanocarriers, including PEGylation and natural polymers.
- The role of lipid-based nanoparticles, such as liposomes and high-density lipoproteins, in drug delivery.
- Strategies to overcome biological barriers in cancer therapy.
Excerpt from the Book
2. Polymer-based Cancer Nanotheranostics
Cancer nanotheranostics are the nanoplatforms that provide real-time monitoring non-invasively, desired functions using standard procedures in nanotechnology, controlled encapsulated or linked drug loading/releasing, individualized cancer therapy (Bhojani, Van Dort, Rehemtulla, & Ross, 2010; Chen, Zhang, Zhu, Xie, & Chen, 2017). A conventional nanotheranostic platform has two parts which are diagnostic [magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single-photon emission computed tomography, ultrasound imaging agents, etc.] and therapeutic agents (chemotherapy, radiation therapy agents, etc.) (Chen et al., 2017). Also, the therapeutic part can act as an imaging agent because of its inherent fluorescence property (Luk & Zhang, 2014) (Figure 1). A polymeric nanotheranostic platform must have stability, targeting ability, and effective biodistribution capabilities (Afshar, 2015).
The parts of the nanotheranostic platform can be modified by lipids, polymers, and other natural or synthetic structures. Some polymers are preferable to improve the cancer nanotheranostic system because of biocompatibility, versatility, changeable physicochemical properties by adding different functional groups, controllable sizes, and degradation rates (Gopinath, 2015; Sisay, 2014). In the past few decades, the widely thought aim for cancer researchers is to send a cytotoxic agent into the cancerous tissue without sticking to the biological barriers; and in the theranostic area, to monitor the treatment which is using a single nanomedicine. Biological barriers are the main disadvantage of all cancer treatment studies. Successful polymer-, lipid- or any material-based cancer nanotheranostic agents should be prepared to reach exactly into the cancerous target and bypass all barriers on its way. This is one of the important features we call “effectiveness” in cancer treatment. Biological barriers may be separated into two different topics: Immune system, liver, kidneys, blood, spleen, and blood-brain barrier. When a foreign material goes into the body, all these systems cross it with their ways (Kievit & Zhang, 2011).
Summary of Chapters
1. Using Nanotechnology in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: This chapter highlights the limitations of conventional cancer diagnostics and treatments, illustrating how nanotechnology enables early detection and more precise, targeted drug delivery.
2. Polymer-based Cancer Nanotheranostics: This section details the use of various polymeric structures, including PEGylated systems and natural polymers like hyaluronic acid and chitosan, to improve the stability and efficacy of nanotheranostic platforms.
3. Lipid-based Cancer Nanotheranostics: This chapter focuses on lipid-based carriers such as liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and lipoproteins, evaluating their biocompatibility and ability to utilize biological pathways for effective cancer management.
Keywords
Nanotheranostics, Nanotechnology, Cancer Treatment, Polymer-based Nanoparticles, Lipid-based Nanoparticles, Drug Delivery, PEGylation, Liposomes, Solid Lipid Nanoparticles, Personalized Medicine, Real-time Monitoring, Biocompatibility, Targeted Therapy, Imaging Agents, Tumor Targeting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work focuses on the integration of diagnosis and therapy—known as theranostics—within the field of nanotechnology to enhance cancer treatment outcomes.
What are the central themes of the research?
The central themes include the design of polymer- and lipid-based nanoplatforms, the importance of targeted drug delivery, and the mitigation of side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
What is the core research objective?
The goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of how nanotheranostic platforms can be engineered to achieve early diagnosis, real-time treatment monitoring, and high-efficiency drug delivery to specific cancer sites.
Which scientific methodologies are discussed?
The text reviews various synthesis and modification techniques for nanoparticles, including PEGylation, surface functionalization, and the use of natural biopolymers to improve drug solubility and targeting accuracy.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body systematically explores the properties and advantages of different nanocarriers, specifically categorizing them into polymer-based and lipid-based systems, supported by recent experimental literature.
Which keywords define this research?
Key terms include nanotheranostics, targeted drug delivery, lipid-based nanoparticles, polymer-based nanoparticles, PEGylation, and theranostic platforms.
What are the main advantages of solid lipid nanoparticles over traditional liposomes?
Solid lipid nanoparticles are often less toxic, offer better storage capabilities, allow for large-scale production, and are more effective at managing both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs.
How does PEGylation benefit nanotheranostic systems?
PEGylation enhances the pharmacokinetic profile by increasing hydrophilicity, improving biocompatibility, decreasing immunogenicity, and prolonging the circulation half-life of the drugs in the body.
What is the role of High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL) in this context?
HDL acts as a biomimetic carrier that is naturally biodegradable and non-toxic, allowing for the delivery of therapeutics through the body's existing biological pathways, often targeting overexpressed receptors in cancer cells.
- Citar trabajo
- M.Sc. Nazli Irmak Giritlioglu (Autor), Gizem Köprülülü Küçük (Autor), 2020, Polymer- and Lipid-Based Cancer Nanotheranostics, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/903290
