Nanotechnology was something we once thought as science fiction. But now after more than 3 decades of research, nano particles has moved into a scientific reality. Nanotechnology is the engineering of something so small that it is measured on a molecular scale. These particles are 100-10,000 times smaller than a human cell. One particle is about 1/80,000 the width of a human hair. These particles offer infinite possibilities for cancer treatments.
The difference between using nanoparticles for cancer treatment vs current chemotherapy is that current chemotherapy does not discriminate normal cells from cancer cells. Unfortunately, many healthy cells get destroyed and side effects for the patient are high. Nanoparticle only refers to the size of the particle. If these drugs can be compounded into nanoparticles, then they can deliver high concentrations of anti-cancer drugs more directly to cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. Nanoparticles enhance the staying power of chemotherapy by keeping the drug in the tumor for a lounger time with sustained release action.
Research suggests that nanoparticles hold promise for breast, prostate and bladder cancer treatments. This technology may become difficult to regulate as therapies with more functions become more complex. Also, there are safety concerns on whether nanoparticles are cleared from the system after use.
Nanomedicines have been in clinical use for many years and have treated hundreds of thousands of patients. Many new and different nano particle types are being tested in clinical trials. There is always risks in any new treatment approach. These delivery systems in cancer treatment have produced results that provide us with much optimism. There is some concern over the long-term toxicity effects which have not been fully studied. In the meantime, we will be hearing more about nanotechnology in the years to come.
Reference: Infinity Research Limited. “Nanoparticles offer ‘infinite’ possibilities for cancer treatment”. HemOnc Today, Volume 14-Number 9, May 10, 2013.