Ever wondered how thousands of diseases are screened with just a drop of blood? Or search the internet for how cancer cells can be destroyed without chemotherapy or surgery. I know, this idea might sound futuristic! But this is being tested in labs now!
A recent study has shown that children with cancer from the 1970s to 1999 had a poor quality of life though the survival rate was more than it showed in the 1990s. More than 70% of cancer survivors have side effects from the treatments which also include secondary cancers. As the survival rates improve, the global population of cancer survivors, especially in children is also growing. Side effects cause stress for them which increases the demand on health systems.
What is nanomedicine?
The application of nanomaterials or nanoparticles to medicine is nanomedicine. These nanoparticles can reach places that a normal drug wouldn’t be able to go on its own. One of the nanomedicine benefits is, it’s a non–invasive drug delivery. Nano, as the name suggests, is tiny and Nanometre is 1 – billionth of a meter. The drug delivery range is between 20 to 100 range, but this can vary depending on the design.
Nanoparticles are engineered, designed, and transported directly to where they are needed. This means that the drugs can cause harm in the specific and intended area of the tumor they are delivered to. This reduces collateral damage to the healthy surrounding tissues with fewer side effects.
How does nanomedicine work?
Nanomedicine can work in various ways. Along with carrying the drug for delivery, they can also be engineered to carry specific compounds that can attach to the molecules on tumor cells. Once it gets bound, they can deliver it safely to the specific tumor site.
For a drug to work, it needs to get into the bloodstream faster which means it has to be soluble, nanoparticles are such types of drugs. For instance, when a cancer patient is given Taxol (an insoluble drug) has to be dissolved into the bloodstream without causing any allergic reaction to the patients. To overcome this, nanoparticles have been developed. It can carry paclitaxel and make it soluble with almost nil – allergic reaction, this is called non– invasive drug delivery.
Tumors can lead to leaky blood vessels. These vessels will allow chemotherapy drugs to penetrate the tumor. But as the molecules in chemotherapy are so tiny, they might also get diffused through the vessels or out of the tumors which results in tissue damage. Nanoparticles are larger molecules that can get sealed inside the tumor, where there will be no damage.
Once the drug is delivered, these nanoparticles can break down into harmless products. This is very essential for infants who are still developing.
Types of Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles can vary in size and shape. A wide range of nanoparticle structures is now being tested and researchers need to match the right nanoparticle to the drug for its effectiveness. Some of the common types of medicine are:
- Organic Nanoparticles – Liposomes, Solid lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, Micelles and polymeric nanoparticles
- In organic nanoparticles – Gold, Iron oxide, and Hafnium nanoparticles
The benefits of nanomedicine
The benefits of nanomedicine are not limited. Many pharmaceutical companies have encouraged and supported the use of this drug delivery system. The greatest benefit of using nanomedicine compared to traditional medicine is the use of analytical tools and treatments like nanoparticles. Some of its benefits are;
Targeted and enhanced drug delivery
As these particles are made to target diseased tissues and cells, it is said that nanomedicine can reduce the exposure of healthy tissues, lessening the side effects and enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Nanoparticles can enhance drug stability, bioavailability, and solubility, extending their circulation time in the body.
Enhanced Therapeutic efficacy
It can help with the development of novel therapeutic methods. Nanoparticles can deliver drugs to the intracellular level directly, overcoming cellular barriers and enhancing drug effectiveness. Also, nanoparticles are designed to release drugs in a controlled way, ensuring sustained therapeutic levels and lessening the fluctuations.
Improved imaging and diagnostics
Nanoparticles can work as contrast agents in medical imaging methods, providing enhanced resolution and sensitivity. The nanoparticle can bind to disease by functionalizing it with specific molecules, this helps with early detection, accurate diagnosis, and monitoring of diseases.
Minimal invasive procedures
It enables the development of minimally invasive procedures. Nanoparticles and nanoscale can be monitored through injections or small incisions, reducing the need for major surgeries. This approach can also be used as targeted therapies in confined spaces or hard-to-reach sections within the human body.
Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering
Nanotechnology plays an important role in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Nanomaterial is used as scaffolds or carries to promote tissue regeneration, and cell growth and guide tissue formation. They can change the function and the structure of the natural extracellular matrix, helping in the repair and regeneration of damaged organs and tissues.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Nanomedicine
Using traditional methods, drug researchers have faced significant challenges in making nanomedicines for research and development (R&D), commercial manufacture, and clinical testing. The pros and cons of nanomedicine are listed below;
Pros
- Advanced Therapy with a lessened degree of invasiveness
- The negative effects of surgical procedures and drugs are reduced
- Quick, small, and highly sensitive diagnostic tools
- Reduced morbidity and mortality rates
- Cost-effectiveness of medicine and disease management methods as a whole
- Increased longevity in return
- Unsolved medical issues like cancer benefit from the Nanomedical approach
Cons
- Lack of knowledge about the effects of nanoparticles
- Scientists are concerned about the toxicity, exposure pathways, and characterization linked with the medicine that might pose a serious threat to humans.
- The use of nano medicine beyond the safety issues, has a serious question for the researchers.
Conclusion
Nanomedicine provides various benefits over traditional medical methods. The small size of nanoparticles enables them to penetrate tissues and cells more effectively. Also, nanomaterials can have unique magnetic, optical, and thermal components that enable enhanced imaging, therapeutic effects, and drug delivery. While the medicine holds great promise, it is important to continue research, concerns, and the safety of the drug to minimize the risks and maximize the benefits.
