Nanomedicine and epigenome. Possible health risks

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology 2017-11, Vol.109 (Pt 1), p.780-796
• Main Authors: Smolkova, Bozena, Dusinska, Maria, Gabelova, Alena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epigenetic toxicity; Gene Expression - drug effects; Health effects; Humans; Nanomedicine; Nanomedicine - instrumentation; Nanostructures - toxicity; Nanotherapeutics; Nanotoxicity
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.07.020

Nanomedicine is an emerging field that combines knowledge of nanotechnology and material science with pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, aiming to develop nanodrugs with increased efficacy and safety. Compared to conventional therapeutics, nanodrugs manifest higher stability and circulation time, reduced toxicity and improved targeted delivery. Despite the obvious benefit, the accumulation of imaging agents and nanocarriers in the body following their therapeutic or diagnostic application generates concerns about their safety for human health. Numerous toxicology studies have demonstrated that exposure to nanomaterials (NMs) might pose serious risks to humans. Epigenetic modifications, representing a non-genotoxic mechanism of toxicant-induced health effects, are becoming recognized as playing a potential causative role in the aetiology of many diseases including cancer. This review i) provides an overview of recent advances in medical applications of NMs and ii) summarizes current evidence on their possible epigenetic toxicity. To discern potential health risks of NMs, since current data are mostly based upon in vitro and animal models, a better understanding of functional relationships between NM exposure, epigenetic deregulation and phenotype is required. •Nanomedicine, the fastest-growing branch of human healthcare, dramatically improves diagnosis and treatment of diseases.•The biosafety of nanomaterials is of major concern due to their accumulation in the body after therapeutic application.•Altered epigenetic regulation has been involved in the pathogenesis of several hereditary conditions and complex diseases.•Epigenetic marks regulate cellular plasticity - the ability of the cell to rapidly respond to external and internal stimuli.•The impact of nanomaterials on epigenetic regulation is not sufficiently explored and requires increased attention.