Accelerating the Translation of Nanomaterials in Biomedicine

Abstract

Due to their size and tailorable physicochemical properties, nanomaterials are an emerging class of structures utilized in biomedical applications. There are now many prominent examples of nanomaterials being used to improve human health, in areas ranging from imaging and diagnostics to therapeutics and regenerative medicine. An overview of these examples reveals several common areas of synergy and future challenges. This Nano Focus discusses the current status and future potential of promising nanomaterials and their translation from the laboratory to the clinic, by highlighting a handful of successful examples.

Figure 1

In vivo activity of immunomodulatory SNAs as cancer vaccines.

Figure 2

Barriers to successful in vivo delivery of nucleic acids using nonviral vectors. Reprinted with permission from ref . Copyright 2014 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Figure 3

Subconjunctival instillation of nanocarriers incorporating latanoprost lowers eye pressure in glaucoma patients for up to 3 months. Reproduced from ref . Copyright 2014 American Chemical Society.

Figure 4

Schematic for the nanoparticle-based treatment of acne. Silica–gold nanoparticles are delivered into sebaceous glands using low-frequency ultrasound. Nanoparticles are then activated using near-infrared light to induce thermolysis. Reprinted with permission from ref . Copyright 2015 Elsevier.

Figure 5

Nanoneedle for the delivery of VEGF-165 to upregulate blood vessel formation in muscle. (A) Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs showing the morphology of porous silicon nanoneedle arrays with pitches of 2 μm. Scale bars, 2 μm. (B) High-resolution SEM micrographs of nanoneedle tips showing the nanoneedles’ porous structure and the tunability of tip diameter from less than 100 nm to over 400 nm. Scale bars, 200 nm. (C) Intravital bright-field (top) and confocal (bottom) microscopy images of the vasculature of untreated (left) and hVEGF-165-treated muscles with either direct injection (center) or nanoinjection (right). The fluorescence signal originates from systemically injected FITC–dextran. Scale bars, bright-field 100 μm; confocal 50 μm. (D, E) Quantification of the fraction of fluorescent signal (dextran) (D) and the number of nodes in the vasculature per mm² (E) within each field of view acquired for untreated control, intramuscular injection (IM) and nanoinjection. *p = 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. Error bars represent the SD of the averages of five areas taken from three animals. Reprinted with permission of figure and caption text from ref . Copyright 2015 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.