Application of nanobiotechnology in cancer therapeutics

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the creation and utilization of materials, devices, and systems through the control of matter on the nanometer-length scale, i.e., at the level of atoms, molecules, and supramolecular structures. Nanotechnology, as defined by the National Nanotechnology Initiative (http://www.nano.gov/), is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1-100 nm, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. During the past few years, considerable progress has been made in the application of nanobiotechnology in cancer, i.e. nanooncology, which is currently the most important chapter of nanomedicine [1,2]. Other publications have covered applications of nanobiotechnology in diagnostics [3], drug discovery [4], and drug delivery [5]. Several drugs in development for cancer are based on nanotechnology and a few of these are already approved. Nanotechnology-based devices are in development as aids to cancer surgery. Some of the recent development in nanotechnologies and their applications in diagnosing and developing cancer therapies are reviewed in this chapter. The impact of nanobiotechnology on oncology is shown schematically in Fig. 1. © 2009 Springer-Verlag New York.