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Review
. 2015 Nov 19:8:55-66.
doi: 10.2147/NSA.S49052. eCollection 2015.

Nanotechnology-based inhalation treatments for lung cancer: state of the art

Javed Ahmad  1 , Sohail Akhter  2 , Md Rizwanullah  1 , Saima Amin  1 , Mahfoozur Rahman  3 , Mohammad Zaki Ahmad  4 , Moshahid Alam Rizvi  5 , Mohammad A Kamal  6 , Farhan Jalees Ahmad  7
Affiliations
Review

Nanotechnology-based inhalation treatments for lung cancer: state of the art

Javed Ahmad et al. Nanotechnol Sci Appl. .

Abstract

Considering the challenges associated with conventional chemotherapy, targeted and local delivery of chemotherapeutics via nanoparticle (NP) carriers to the lungs is an emerging area of interest. Recent studies and growing clinical application in cancer nanotechnology showed the huge potential of NPs as drug carriers in cancer therapy, including in lung carcinoma for diagnosis, imaging, and theranostics. Researchers have confirmed that nanotechnology-based inhalation chemotherapy is viable and more effective than conventional chemotherapy, with lesser side effects. Recently, many nanocarriers have been investigated, including liposomes, polymeric micelles, polymeric NPs, solid lipid NPs, and inorganic NPs for inhalation treatments of lung cancer. Yet, the toxicity of such nanomaterials to the lungs tissues and further distribution to other organs due to systemic absorption on inhalation delivery is a debatable concern. Here, prospect of NPs-based local lung cancer targeting through inhalation route as well as its associated challenges are discussed.

Keywords: drug targeting; inhalational chemotherapy; lung cancer; nanoparticles; nanotoxicity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Organs exposure and toxicity associated with inhalational NPs. Note: The figure indicates that such NPs can accumulate into the lungs for a very long time and may also enter into the systemic circulation and subsequently reach the other vital organs through blood flow. Abbreviation: NP, nanoparticle.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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