Inorganic nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery

Abstract Inorganic nanoparticles are nontoxic, hydrophilic, biocompatible, and highly stable compared with organic materials. It poses unique physicochemical properties such as high surface area per unit volume and unique optical and magnetic properties and can be functionalized with various specific ligands to enhance their affinity toward target cells or molecules. Apart from their ability of controlled drug release profile, inorganic nanoparticles protect the drug from degradation and can reduce the frequency of administration and dose of the drug, thereby a significant reduction in the toxicity of drugs, particularly of cancer drugs. Drug delivery systems designed for enhanced drug efficacy and reduced adverse effects have evolved accompanied by the development of novel materials. Biomedical applications of nanotechnology are mainly suited for diagnostic techniques, nanodrugs and delivery systems, and biomedical implants. Nanoenabled drug delivery has been projected as the single largest market opportunity. Recent advancement in nanotechnology has led to the introduction of various inorganic nanoparticles other than calcium phosphates as excellent drug delivery matrices. Nanoparticles are now having highly advanced chemical properties, and many inorganic nanoparticles have been used as drug carriers. Extensive studies have been done on the use of inorganic nanoparticles toward cancer detection and therapy, and its applications go on increasing. This chapter reviews some of the recent developments and applications of calcium phosphate nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, and iron oxide nanoparticles in drug delivery and tissue engineering.