Therapeutic Nanoparticles: Advantages and Toxicity

Abstract

The present review focused on various advantages and hazardous aspects of therapeutically used nanoparticles. Therapeutic applications of nanoparticles have been covered in cancer diagnosing and therapy, surgery, bio-detection of disease markers, molecular imaging, implant application, tissue engineering, and devices for gene, drug, radionuclide, and protein delivery. Many therapeutic nanotechnology applications are still in their beginning stages. However, promising applications are being developed especially in the field of cancer therapy. Nanoparticles are proficient as carriers for chemo-therapeutic drugs and enhance their therapeutic index. These NPs act as therapeutic agents in gene and photothermal therapy. Furthermore, they function as molecular imaging agents to distinguish target cells and monitor cancer progression. Finally, the generations of toxic biological responses of these nanoparticles are mentioned based on detailed explanations of NPs toxicity assessment. Evaluation of potential toxicity of NPs are mainly comprises of its physicochemical properties, inclusive particle characterization (such as size, shape, specific surface area, agglomeration, solubility, element impurity etc.), function of cellular and non-cellular in vitro toxicity assessment and animal supported toxicological measures.