Cancer: Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Approaches

Warren CW Chan, Ali Khademhosseini, Wolfgang Parak, Paul S Weiss

ACS Nano 2017, 11, 5, 4375–4376 | DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b03308


Abstract

Nanotechnology will play critical roles in the fight against cancer. Nanotechnology provides: (a) new tools to elucidate tumor biology, (b) in vitro or in vivo diagnostic tools for identifying and classifying cancer cells, (c) carriers that enhance the delivery of cancer agents, and (d) therapeutic agents that can treat cancer. Many of these developments have been highlighted in ACS Nano. In the past few years, we have published articles that describe the engineering of nanomaterials for diagnosing and treating cancer (e.g., upconverting nanocapsules and a combined photothermal and immunotherapy nanoparticle system),(2, 3) targeting strategies to carry drugs to tumor sites,(4-6) and sensors to detect and to differentiate different types of cancer.(7-9) We have also focused on fundamental studies that define the principles of designing cancer nanomedicines. Some of these studies include the interactions of nanoparticles with serum protein,(10-13) cellular proteome,(14-16) and cancer delivery relevant cells.(17-19) These studies provide foundations for the design of nanoparticles for targeting cancer cells in the body.