Nano-oncology: drug delivery, imaging, and sensing

• Published in: Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry 2006-02, Vol.384 (3), p.620-630
• Main Authors: Portney, Nathaniel G, Ozkan, Mihrimah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biosensing Techniques - methods; detection; Drug Delivery Systems; image analysis; nanotechnology; Nanotechnology - methods; Nanotubes - chemistry; neoplasms; Neoplasms - diagnosis; Quantum Dots; Sensing; Spectrophotometry, Infrared - methods
• ISSN: 1618-2642; 1618-2650
• DOI: 10.1007/s00216-005-0247-7

Innovation in the last decade has endowed nanotechnology with an assortment of tools for delivery, imaging, and sensing in cancer research--stealthy nanoparticle vectors circulating in vivo, assembled with exquisite molecular control, capable of selective tumor targeting and potent delivery of therapeutics; intense and photostable quantum dot-based tumor imaging, enabling multicolor detection of cell receptors with a single optical excitation source; arrays of semiconducting nanowire and carbon nanotube sensor elements for selective multiplexed sensing of cancer markers without the need for probe labeling. These rapidly emerging tools are indicative of a burgeoning field ready to expand into medical applications. This review attempts to outline most of the current nanoparticle toolset for therapeutic release by liposomes, dendrimers, smart polymers, and virus-based systems. Advantages of nanoparticle-based imaging and targeting by use of nanoshells and quantum dots are also explored. Finally, emerging nanoelectronics-based sensing and a global discussion on the utility of each nanoparticle system addresses their fundamental advantages and shortcomings in cancer research.