The new era of nanotechnology, an alternative to change cancer treatment

Abstract

Ancuta Jurj,1 Cornelia Braicu,1 Laura-Ancuta Pop,1 Ciprian Tomuleasa,1,2 Claudia Diana Gherman,3,4 Ioana Berindan-Neagoe1,5,6 1Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu-Hatieganu”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 2Department of Hematology, The Oncology Institute “Prof Dr Ion Chiricuta”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 3Practical Abilities, Department of Medical Education, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu-Hatieganu”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 4Department of Medical Education, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 5Department of Functional Genomics and Experimental Pathology, The Oncology Institute “Prof Dr Ion Chiricuta”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 6MedFuture Research Center for Advanced Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu-Hatieganu”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Abstract: In the last few years, nanostructures have gained considerable interest for the safe delivery of therapeutic agents. Several therapeutic approaches have been reported, such as molecular diagnosis, disease detection, nanoscale immunotherapy and anticancer drug delivery that could be integrated into clinical use. The current paper aims to highlight the background that supports the use of nanoparticles conjugated with different types of therapeutic agents, applicable in targeted therapy and cancer research, with a special emphasis on hematological malignancies. A particular key point is the functional characterization of nonviral delivery systems, such as gold nanoparticles, liposomes and dendrimers. The paper also presents relevant published data related to microRNA and RNA interference delivery using nanoparticles in cancer therapy. Keywords: nanotechnology, gold nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, microRNA, RNA interference

Keywords

• nanotechnology
• gold nanoparticles
• liposomes
• dendrimers
• microRNA
• RNA interference