Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 
VnPs AS toolS For nAnoMedICIne
The development of nanomaterials for medical applications is termed
nanomedicine.
Nanomaterials have been employed for applications such as
the fabrication of novel sensors for medical diagnostics, or the development of
nanodevices for tissue-specific imaging and therapy (reviewed in Jain, 2008;
Maham
., 2009). Imaging modalities and drugs
are typically small chemicals that lack tissue specificity. These molecules
therefore show broad tissue distribution and accumulate in diseased as well
as in healthy tissues, thus reducing the sensitivity or leading to undesired
side effects. The doses of imaging or therapeutic molecules that can be used
are therefore limited.
The ability to specifically target imaging and/or therapeutic compounds
to disease sites is regarded an important goal in nanomedicine that would
increase imaging sensitivity, increase efficacy of chemotherapeutics,
and reduce side effects. Nanotechnology has opened the door for the
development of “smart” targeted devices by interlinking targeting ligands
with imaging and/or therapeutic molecules, and holds great promise for the
development of improved therapies, especially for treatment of cancer or
vascular disease.
Diverse classes of novel nanomaterials have recently been developed,
including nanocrystals and quantum dots (QDs), dendrimers, polymer
vesicles and beads, liposomes, and protein-based nanostructures such as
protein cages and viral nanoparticles (VNPs) (reviewed in Bawarski
et al
.., 2009; Sandhiya
et al
et al
.,
2008; Majoros
., 2009;
Xing & Rao, 2008). Each of these systems has advantages and disadvantages
regarding biocompatibility, bioavailability and pharmacokinetics, toxicity,
immunogenicity, and specificity for the target tissue. VNPs have many
appealing features and offer various advantages compared to synthetic
nanomaterials. The main benefit is that they are naturally biocompatible
and biodegradable. Biocompatibility is particularly important for medical
et al
., 2008; Manchester & Singh, 2006; Soussan
et al
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