Nanomedicine and Applications in Cancer: A Comprehensive Guide

Nanomedicine represents a paradigm shift in cancer therapeutics, offering targeted drug delivery, reduced systemic toxicity, and enhanced efficacy. This book provides a detailed and systematic overview of nanomedicine formulations and their diverse applications across the cancer treatment landscape. Beginning with fundamental principles of nanoparticle synthesis, characterization, and application in medicine, the text progresses to explore key nanoparticle platforms. Polymer-based nanoparticles are examined with respect to material properties, production methodologies, and their role in developing tailored cancer therapies. A dedicated section addresses lipid-based nanoparticles, focusing on the complexities of biological delivery, clinical successes, and essential considerations for stability and storage. Self-generating nanoemulsions (SGNEs) are introduced as a strategy to enhance drug bioavailability and overcome resistance, with attention given to regulatory pathways for clinical translation. The book further elucidates site-specific drug delivery, detailing passive and active targeting mechanisms through various ligands. Diagnostic applications of nanomedicine are also presented, with a focus on fluorescent nanoparticles, their characterization, biomedical uses, clinical trial status, and limitations in comparison to alternative diagnostic modalities. Critical areas such as cancer immunotherapy, including preventive and therapeutic vaccines and oncolytic viruses, and the burgeoning field of RNA-based therapeutics, highlighting the role of nanotechnology in their stabilization and targeted delivery, are thoroughly discussed. The text culminates with an overview of CAR-T cell therapy, associated challenges, innovative engineering strategies like CRISPR/Cas9, nanoparticle-mediated gene delivery, and relevant clinical advancements. Finally, the book addresses the multifaceted hurdles hindering the clinical translation of cancer-targeting nanomedicines, proposing potential solutions and design considerations to optimize clinical outcomes.