Nanotechnology in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Earliest precise diagnosis and targeted therapy underlines the efficiency of successful cancer management. Conventional diagnostics are usually dependent on phenotypic expression of cancer signatures which often effects into delayed detection leading to poor prognosis. Traditional therapeutics frequently lacks precise targeting leading to sub-optimal drug concentration as well as off-target systemic side effects. Nano-intervention delivers in both the aspects: integration of advanced imaging modalities with site-specific targeting of nano-imaging agents can improve the sensitivity and specificity of cancer detection along with advent of diverse nanoparticle-based biosensors extends the scope for rapid and point-of-care diagnosis. Moreover, multifunctional nanoparticles facilitate simultaneous diagnosis and therapies of cancers in one go. Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems with spatio-temporally controlled release mechanism facilitate targeted payload conveyance at the tumor sites with prolongs maintenance of adequate drug concentration to curtail general toxicity of the chemotherapeutics. Furthermore, it augments the pharmacokinetic properties of the drugs by improving the penetration, distribution and bioavailability of the therapeutic agents, even occasionally fortifying with synergistic effects. Premature drug release, fast enzymatic degradation, and rapid clearance can also be avoided by exploiting nano-encapsulation and stimuli-responsive nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems. Cancer immunotherapy has also gained significant attention in current scenario which mostly relies upon nanoparticle-based biological and vaccine delivery systems along with introduction of nano-adjuvants as component of nano-vaccines to enhance the immunogenicity and protection against cancers. Thus nanotechnology has the potential to empower the arsenal against cancer by diverse means; however, it faces some inherent challenges such as potential toxicity of nanomaterials, stringent regulatory issues delaying smooth and timely clinical transition of nano-drugs, lack of established international standards and protocols, redundant nanoparticle applications, and associated issues regarding the intellectual property rights, etc. Diligent focused efforts from all the stakeholders globally is paying-off as significant improvement have been observed in the “bench to beside” transition of the nano-formulations and newer candidates are reaching the market at regular basis currently which ensures a bright future prospect of nanotechnology in cancer arena.