Nanotechnology involves systems which are 1000 of a thickness of a human hair.
The study and use of particles up to 100 nm in diameter.
A nanoparticle has an outer shell that protects and inner core of a molecule or diagnostic substance.
A nanoparticle often has a total net hydrodynamic size of less than 100 nm.
Nanoparticle small size and extensive surface area: volume ratio create advantages to enter cells, to release drug slowly over time, to modulate small molecule toxic effects and amplify a signal that depends on surface contacts.
Nanotechnology has uses in medicine as therapy, diagnostic and imaging techniques.
Nano materials vary in size, shape and service charge and can have varying compositions.
Nano particles are used in many environments, such as paints, personal care products and are found in the ocean, and essentially everywhere.
Nanomaterials have properties distinct from larger materials and from small molecules, as well.
Nano particles sometimes are preferentially taken up into tumors and areas of inflammation that allows delivery of drugs or imaging agents.
Nano particles may share the same size in charge but have different biological effects.
Quantum dots are nanoparticles that can be shaped to enhance their removal from the body to alleviate toxicity and also to be used for rapid entry into cells to release a drug
Nanoparticles can be personalized for an individual patient and used as a scaffold so they target a specific antigen on cells, particularly tumor cells.
Nanoparticles connect by transporting a drug, a diagnostic imaging agent or therapeutic.
Nanoparticles can’t bring drugs directly to tumors, decreasing the amount of drug necessary to be efficacious and reducing toxicity.
Tumors may retain nanoparticles related to their increased vascular permeability, known as the enhanced permeability and retention effect.
How nanomaterials work in biologic systems is frequently unknown and they may have effects when degraded, which are presently unknown.
Nanoparticles have high uptake in liver, spleen and lymph nodes, frequent targets of antineoplastic therapy.
Nanoparticles have immunologic defects by switching the function of tumor resident macrophages from promoting to tumor inhibition.
Nanoparticles can impact reactive oxygen species generation and the oxygen reduction capabilities of cells.
Nanoparticles can enhance the effects of radiation therapy or provide additional radiation effects and can modulate vascular permeability by opening blood vessels, and the Lowell leakage of drugs into the tumor.
Doxorubicin as a liposomal nano particle compared with standard doxorubicin has improved efficacy and less toxicity.