Sub-Tracks of
Nanotechnology in Cancer:
1. Nanoparticle-Based Drug
Delivery
- Targeted Therapy: Nanoparticles are engineered to deliver chemotherapeutic agents
specifically to cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
- Controlled Release: Use of nanocarriers like liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and
dendrimers for sustained and controlled drug release.
- Multi-Drug Delivery: Combining multiple drugs in a single nanocarrier to overcome
resistance and enhance efficacy.
2. Cancer Diagnostics and Imaging
- Quantum Dots: For highly sensitive imaging and tracking of cancer biomarkers.
- Magnetic Nanoparticles: Used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to enhance tumor
contrast.
- Gold Nanoparticles: Applied in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for molecular
imaging and tumor detection.
3. Photothermal and Photodynamic
Therapy
- Photothermal Therapy (PTT): Utilizing nanoparticles like gold nanoshells to convert light
energy into heat, selectively destroying cancer cells.
- Photodynamic Therapy (PDT): Using photosensitizers in conjunction with nanoparticles to
produce reactive oxygen species for localized cancer cell death.
4. Immunotherapy and Vaccine
Development
- Nanovaccines: Nanoparticles delivering cancer antigens to stimulate the immune
system.
- Immune Checkpoint Modulation: Nanoparticles delivering antibodies or
inhibitors to enhance T-cell responses against tumors.
5. Gene Therapy and RNA Delivery
- siRNA/miRNA Delivery: Nanocarriers delivering RNA molecules to silence cancer-promoting
genes.
- CRISPR-Cas Systems: Nanotechnology enhancing the delivery of gene-editing tools for
cancer treatment.
6. Biosensors for Cancer
Detection
- Nanosensors: Devices detecting cancer-specific biomarkers at very low
concentrations in body fluids.
- Lab-on-a-Chip: Miniaturized platforms integrating nanotechnology for rapid and
accurate cancer diagnostics.
7. Theranostics
- Dual-Modality Platforms: Nanoparticles combining therapeutic and diagnostic
functionalities, allowing simultaneous treatment and monitoring of cancer.
- Personalized Medicine: Tailored nanocarriers that adjust treatment based on individual
patient profiles.
8. Nanorobotics and Micromachines
- Targeted Delivery: Nano-scale robots navigating to tumor sites for drug delivery.
- Minimally Invasive Surgery: Using nanorobotics to perform precise interventions.
9. Overcoming Tumor
Microenvironment Barriers
- Hypoxia-Responsive Nanocarriers: Addressing low oxygen levels in tumors to
enhance therapy.
- Stroma-Targeted Delivery: Nanoparticles designed to penetrate the dense extracellular
matrix in tumors.
10. Radio-Nanomedicine
- Radiation Sensitizers: Nanoparticles improving the effectiveness of radiotherapy.
- Nanoparticle-Enhanced Brachytherapy: Combining radioactive
isotopes with nanotechnology for localized treatment.
