Nanotechnology for Early Cancer Detection

Vast numbers of studies and developments in the nanotechnology area have been conducted and many nanomaterials have been utilized to detect cancers at early stages. Nanomaterials have unique physical, optical and electrical properties that have proven to be very useful in sensing. Quantum dots, gold nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, gold nanowires and many other materials have been developed over the years, alongside the discovery of a wide range of biomarkers to lower the detection limit of cancer biomarkers. Proteins, antibody fragments, DNA fragments, and RNA fragments are the base of cancer biomarkers and have been used as targets in cancer detection and monitoring. It is highly anticipated that in the near future, we might be able to detect cancer at a very early stage, providing a much higher chance of treatment

Exploiting nanotechnology to target cancer

Nanotechnology is increasingly finding use in the management of cancer. Nanoscale devices have impacted cancer biology at three levels: early detection using, for example, nanocantilevers or nanoparticles; tumour imaging using radiocontrast nanoparticles or quantum dots; and drug delivery using nanovectors and hybrid nanoparticles. This review addresses some of the major milestones in the integration of nanotechnology and cancer biology, and the future of nanoscale approaches for cancer management

Nanotechnology in Agricultural Diseases and Food Safety

SUMMARYNanotechnology can be used for combating the plant diseases either by controlled delivery of functional molecules or as diagnostic tool for disease detection. Nanotechnology, nano particles and quantum dots (QD) have emerged as pivotal tool for detection of a particular biological marker with extreme accuracy. The possibilities in future as well as some success that have been achieved so far are discussed in this review.Diagnosis of a disease in its very early stage can play important role in treatment. Due to phenomenal advancement in nanotechnology, QDs have emerged as pivotal tool for detection of a particular biological marker with extreme accuracy. QDS being very photo-stable and optically sensitive can be used as labeling and can be easily traced with ordinary equipment. Early detection of tumor markers using quantum dots is proved to be boon for cancer diagnosis. Use of QDs has also helped in unlocking complex neurological phenomenon, such as molecular activities at synapse during neurotransmission. QDs also give important information about receptor movement if tagged with suitable antibodies. In short, optical stability and easy to handle properties have made QDs to remain at the apex of medical diagnostics. Key words: Nanotechnology, Nanoparticles, Quantum dots, Nano-carbon, Carbon Nanotubes, Nano silver, Nano Alumino-silicate, Nano-sensors, Nano-emulsionMadhuri Sharon et al. Nanotechnology in Agricultural Diseases and Food Safety.  J Phytol 2/4 (2010) 83-92

Circulating tumor-cell detection and capture using microfluidic devices

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the bloodstream are considered good indicators of the presence of a primary tumor or even metastases. CTC capture has great importance in early detection of cancer, especially in identifying novel therapeutic routes for cancer patients by finding personalized druggable targets for the pharmaceutical industry. Recent developments in microfluidics and nanotechnology improved the capabilities of CTC detection and capture, including purity, selectivity and throughput. This article covers the recent technological improvements in microfluidics-based CTC-capture methods utilizing the physical and biochemical properties of CTCs. We critically review the most promising hydrodynamic, dielectrophoretic and magnetic force-based microfluidic CTC-capture devices

Protein corona-enabled serological tests for early stage cancer detection

Abstract Early stage cancer detection is a major issue in current medicine. In recent years, nanotechnology is providing new alternatives for early diagnosis. Upon exposure to human plasma, several nanoparticle types (e.g. gold nanoparticles) are surrounded by a protein layer referred to as protein corona (PC). The PC changes the original identity of the nanoparticle conferring a new biological character. It is now accepted that slight variations in the composition of a protein source significantly varies the PC composition. Thus, nanomaterials incubated with plasma proteins of individuals with different physiological conditions generate PCs with different compositions. This gives rise to the new concept of personalised PC. Therefore, since protein patterns of subjects affected by certain pathologies differ from those of healthy ones, diagnostic technologies based on the evaluation of personalised PC could represent a fascinating opportunity for early disease detection. Herein, we review the concept of personalised PC along with recent advances on the topic, giving an overview of some innovative analytical approaches for early stage cancer detection

Early breast cancer screening using iron/iron oxide-based nanoplatforms with sub-femtomolar limits of detection

Citation: Udukala, D. N., Wang, H. W., Wendel, S. O., Malalasekera, A. P., Samarakoon, T. N., Yapa, A. S., . . . Bossmann, S. H. (2016). Early breast cancer screening using iron/iron oxide-based nanoplatforms with sub-femtomolar limits of detection. Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 7, 364-373. doi:10.3762/bjnano.7.33Additional Authors: Ortega, R.;Toledo, Y.;Bossmann, L.;Robinson, C.;Janik, K. E.;Koper, O. B.;Motamedi, M.;Zhu, G. H.Proteases, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue serine proteases, and cathepsins (CTS) exhibit numerous functions in tumor biology. Solid tumors are characterized by changes in protease expression levels by tumor and surrounding tissue. Therefore, monitoring protease levels in tissue samples and liquid biopsies is a vital strategy for early cancer detection. Water-dispersable Fe/Fe3O4-core/shell based nanoplatforms for protease detection are capable of detecting protease activity down to sub-femtomolar limits of detection. They feature one dye (tetrakis(carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP)) that is tethered to the central nanoparticle by means of a protease-cleavable consensus sequence and a second dye (Cy 5.5) that is directly linked. Based on the protease activities of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), MMPs 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, and 13, as well as CTS B and L, human breast cancer can be detected at stage I by means of a simple serum test. By monitoring CTS B and L stage 0 detection may be achieved. This initial study, comprised of 46 breast cancer patients and 20 apparently healthy human subjects, demonstrates the feasibility of protease-activity-based liquid biopsies for early cancer diagnosis

Nanotechnology and cancer

The biological picture of cancer is rapidly advancing from models built from phenomenological descriptions to network models derived from systems biology, which can capture the evolving pathophysiology of the disease at the molecular level. The translation of this (still academic) picture into a clinically relevant framework can be enabling for the war on cancer, but it is a scientific and technological challenge. In this review, we discuss emerging in vitro diagnostic technologies and therapeutic approaches that are being developed to handle this challenge. Our discussion of in vitro diagnostics is guided by the theme of making large numbers of measurements accurately, sensitively, and at very low cost. We discuss diagnostic approaches based on microfluidics and nanotechnology. We then review the current state of the art of nanoparticle-based therapeutics that have reached the clinic. The goal of the presentation is to identify nanotherapeutic strategies that are designed to increase efficacy while simultaneously minimizing the toxic side effects commonly associated with cancer chemotherapies

Nanotechnology: A Policy Primer

[Excerpt] Nanoscale science, engineering, and technology—commonly referred to collectively as nanotechnology—is believed by many to offer extraordinary economic and societal benefits. Congress has demonstrated continuing support for nanotechnology and has directed its attention primarily to three topics that may affect the realization of this hoped for potential: federal research and development (R&D) in nanotechnology; U.S. competitiveness; and environmental, health, and safety (EHS) concerns. This report provides an overview of these topics—which are discussed in more detail in other CRS reports—and two others: nanomanufacturing and public understanding of and attitudes toward nanotechnology