Nanoparticles in Diagnosis and Treatment

Definition

Nanoparticle (NP)-based tumor diagnostics – methods of detection of tumor cells and/or quantitative analysis of tumor biomarkers using NP.

Nanoparticle-based anti-tumor treatment – methods of anti-cancer therapy which use NP as anti-tumor agents or as delivery systems for anti-tumor drugs.

Characteristics

Types of Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles (NP) are objects that are different in shape with sizes varying from 1 to 1,000 nm. NP can be classified into two major types: particles that contain organic molecules as a major building material (organic NP) and those that use inorganic elements, usually metals as core (inorganic NP).

Among the organic NP, liposomes, dendrimers and carbon NP are commonly used for tumor diagnostics and treatment.

• Liposomes are self-assembled organic nanoparticles with closed colloid structures composed of lipid layers;
• Dendrimers are globular macromolecules in which all bonds emerge radially