NANOPARTICLE AIDED TUMOR TARGETING AND CANCER DETECTION

Abstract

Cancer refers to a collective group of diseases involving abnormal, uncontrolled cell proliferation with the potential to spread to the other tissues from the location of origin. Various modes of treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgical methods, etc. are commonly available. However, these approaches are not very cost-effective and are accompanied by side effects. An emerging approach of targeted drug delivery or smart drug delivery with the assistance of nanoparticles (NPs) and also in combination with immunological therapies has proven to show great potential in cancer treatment with an additional advantage of having the least side effects. Stimulus-sensitive smart nanomaterials have been designed to specifically target the cancer cells, causing no damage to the healthy cells. This is attained using Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), PEGylated NPs, αvβ3-integrin-specific lipid NPs, NP-based radiosensitizers (NBRs), and NP drones. Moreover, not only the specific targeting but the advances allow the detection of these drug-loaded NPs with the help of plasmonic Biosensor and fluorescence nanoprobes that emits fluorescence as it comes in contact with the target. This article describes the application of NPs in targeting the tumor cells as well as the recent researches going on to facilitate easier & cheaper modes of treatment using nanotechnology.