Carbon Nanotubes: A Summary of Beneficial and Dangerous Aspects of an Increasingly Popular Group of Nanomaterials

Chengke Zhang; Chengke Zhang; Licun Wu; Licun Wu; Marc de Perrot; Marc de Perrot; Xiaogang Zhao; Xiaogang Zhao

doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.693814

Frontiers in Oncology (Jul 2021)

Carbon Nanotubes: A Summary of Beneficial and Dangerous Aspects of an Increasingly Popular Group of Nanomaterials

Chengke Zhang,
Chengke Zhang,
Licun Wu,
Licun Wu,
Marc de Perrot,
Marc de Perrot,
Xiaogang Zhao,
Xiaogang Zhao

Affiliations

Chengke Zhang: Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Chengke Zhang: Key Laboratory of Thoracic Cancer, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Licun Wu: Key Laboratory of Thoracic Cancer, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Licun Wu: Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories and Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Marc de Perrot: Latner Thoracic Surgery Research Laboratories and Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Marc de Perrot: Department Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Xiaogang Zhao: Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Xiaogang Zhao: Key Laboratory of Thoracic Cancer, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.693814
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11

Abstract

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Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nanomaterials with broad applications that are produced on a large scale. Animal experiments have shown that exposure to CNTs, especially one type of multi-walled carbon nanotube, MWCNT-7, can lead to malignant transformation. CNTs have characteristics similar to asbestos (size, shape, and biopersistence) and use the same molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways as those involved in asbestos tumorigenesis. Here, a comprehensive review of the characteristics of carbon nanotubes is provided, as well as insights that may assist in the design and production of safer nanomaterials to limit the hazards of currently used CNTs.

Published in Frontiers in Oncology

ISSN: 2234-943X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/

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Abstract

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