Drug delivery and nanoparticles: Applications and hazards

Drug delivery and nanoparticles: Applications and hazards

2008 | Wim H De Jong, Paul J A Borm
The article discusses the rapid expansion of nanotechnology in medicine, particularly in drug delivery, with a focus on cancer therapy. It highlights the use of nanoparticles to reduce drug toxicity and side effects but also draws attention to the potential hazards associated with these carriers. The toxicology of nanoparticles differs from traditional chemical hazards due to their unique properties, such as their large surface area and ability to cross biological barriers. The article reviews various types of nanoparticles used in drug delivery, including biological substances like albumin and gelatin, and chemical substances like polymers and metal nanoparticles. It emphasizes the importance of safety evaluation and the need for specific testing methods to address the unique challenges posed by nanoparticles. The article also explores the potential benefits of nanoparticles, such as enhanced drug targeting and reduced toxicity, while acknowledging the risks associated with their use. Additionally, it discusses the brain as a challenging target for drug delivery due to the blood-brain barrier and the potential for nanoparticles to cross it. The toxicological hazards of nanoparticles are further examined, including their effects on the cardiovascular system and the brain, and the need for new testing methods to understand their long-term impacts.The article discusses the rapid expansion of nanotechnology in medicine, particularly in drug delivery, with a focus on cancer therapy. It highlights the use of nanoparticles to reduce drug toxicity and side effects but also draws attention to the potential hazards associated with these carriers. The toxicology of nanoparticles differs from traditional chemical hazards due to their unique properties, such as their large surface area and ability to cross biological barriers. The article reviews various types of nanoparticles used in drug delivery, including biological substances like albumin and gelatin, and chemical substances like polymers and metal nanoparticles. It emphasizes the importance of safety evaluation and the need for specific testing methods to address the unique challenges posed by nanoparticles. The article also explores the potential benefits of nanoparticles, such as enhanced drug targeting and reduced toxicity, while acknowledging the risks associated with their use. Additionally, it discusses the brain as a challenging target for drug delivery due to the blood-brain barrier and the potential for nanoparticles to cross it. The toxicological hazards of nanoparticles are further examined, including their effects on the cardiovascular system and the brain, and the need for new testing methods to understand their long-term impacts.
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