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Molecular Pharmaceutics Mar 2012Cancer is a leading cause of death within developed nations, and part of this morbidity is due to difficulties associated with its treatment. Currently, anticancer... (Review)
Review
Cancer is a leading cause of death within developed nations, and part of this morbidity is due to difficulties associated with its treatment. Currently, anticancer therapy relies heavily upon the administration of small molecule cytotoxic drugs that attack both cancerous and noncancerous cells due to limited selectivity of the drugs and widespread distribution of the cytotoxic molecules throughout the body. The antitumor efficacy and systemic toxicity of existing chemotherapeutic drugs can, however, be improved by employing formulation and particle engineering approaches. Thus, drug delivery systems can be developed that more specifically target tumor tissue using both passive (such as the enhanced permeation and retention effect) and active (through the use of cancer targeting ligands) modalities. Dendrimers are one such system that can be developed with high structural monodispersity, long plasma circulation times and precise control over surface structure and biodistribution properties. Chemotherapeutic drugs can be associated with dendrimers via covalent conjugation to the surface, or via encapsulation of drugs within the structure. Each of these approaches has demonstrated therapeutic benefit relative to the administration of free drug. Thus far, however, there has not been a systematic review toward which drug association approach will provide the best outcomes in terms of antitumor efficacy and systemic toxicity. Hence, the current literature is reviewed here and recommendations are proposed as to the suggested approach to develop dendrimers as tumor targeted drug-delivery vectors.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Dendrimers; Drug Carriers; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Neoplasms
PubMed: 22250750
DOI: 10.1021/mp2005966 -
European Neuropsychopharmacology : the... Sep 2013Nanomedicine is defined as the area using nanotechnology's concepts for the benefit of human beings' health and well being. In this article, we aimed to provide an... (Review)
Review
Nanomedicine is defined as the area using nanotechnology's concepts for the benefit of human beings' health and well being. In this article, we aimed to provide an overview of areas where nanotechnology is applied and how they could be extended to care for psychiatric illnesses. The main applications of nanotechnology in psychiatry are (i) pharmacology. There are two main difficulties in neuropharmacology: drugs have to pass the blood-brain barrier and then to be internalized by targeted cells. Nanoparticles could increase drugs bioavailability and pharmacokinetics, especially improving safety and efficacy of psychotropic drugs. Liposomes, nanosomes, nanoparticle polymers, nanobubbles are some examples of this targeted drug delivery. Nanotechnologies could also add new pharmacological properties, like nanoshells and dendrimers (ii) living analysis. Nanotechnology provides technical assistance to in vivo imaging or metabolome analysis (iii) central nervous system modeling. Research teams have succeeded to modelize inorganic synapses and mimick synaptic behavior, a step essential for further creation of artificial neural systems. Some nanoparticle assemblies present the same small worlds and free-scale networks architecture as cortical neural networks. Nanotechnologies and quantum physics could be used to create models of artificial intelligence and mental illnesses. We are not about to see a concrete application of nanomedicine in daily psychiatric practice. Even if nanotechnologies are promising, their safety is still inconsistent and this must be kept in mind. However, it seems essential that psychiatrists do not forsake this area of research the perspectives of which could be decisive in the field of mental illness.
Topics: Forecasting; Humans; Mental Disorders; Nanomedicine; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Psychiatry
PubMed: 23183130
DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.10.016 -
Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 2020Administration of substances directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord is one approach that can circumvent the blood-brain...
Administration of substances directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord is one approach that can circumvent the blood-brain barrier to enable drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS). However, molecules that have been administered by intrathecal injection, which includes intraventricular, intracisternal, or lumbar locations, encounter new barriers within the subarachnoid space. These barriers include relatively high rates of turnover as CSF clears and potentially inadequate delivery to tissue or cellular targets. Nanomedicine could offer a solution. In contrast to the fate of freely administered drugs, nanomedicine systems can navigate the subarachnoid space to sustain delivery of therapeutic molecules, genes, and imaging agents within the CNS. Some evidence suggests that certain nanomedicine agents can reach the parenchyma following intrathecal administration. Here, we will address the preclinical and clinical use of intrathecal nanomedicine, including nanoparticles, microparticles, dendrimers, micelles, liposomes, polyplexes, and other colloidalal materials that function to alter the distribution of molecules in tissue. Our review forms a foundational understanding of drug delivery to the CSF that can be built upon to better engineer nanomedicine for intrathecal treatment of disease.
Topics: Animals; Biological Transport; Blood-Brain Barrier; Cerebral Ventricles; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Injections, Spinal; Liposomes; Micelles; Nanoparticles; Subarachnoid Space
PubMed: 32142739
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.02.006 -
L'Encephale Sep 2013Nanomedicine is defined as the area using nanotechnology's concepts for the benefit of human beings, their health and well being. The field of nanotechnology opened new... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Nanomedicine is defined as the area using nanotechnology's concepts for the benefit of human beings, their health and well being. The field of nanotechnology opened new unsuspected fields of research a few years ago.
AIM OF THE STUDY
To provide an overview of nanotechnology application areas that could affect care for psychiatric illnesses.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review using the PRISMA criteria (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis). Inclusion criteria were specified in advance: all studies describing the development of nanotechnology in psychiatry. The research paradigm was: "(nanotechnology OR nanoparticles OR nanomedicine) AND (central nervous system)" Articles were identified in three research bases, Medline (1966-present), Web of Science (1975-present) and Cochrane (all articles). The last search was carried out on April 2, 2012. Seventy-six items were included in this qualitative review.
RESULTS
The main applications of nanotechnology in psychiatry are (i) pharmacology. There are two main difficulties in neuropharmacology. Drugs have to pass the blood brain barrier and then to be internalized by targeted cells. Nanoparticles could increase drugs' bioavailability and pharmacokinetics, especially improving safety and efficacy of psychotropic drugs. Liposomes, nanosomes, nanoparticle polymers, nanobubbles are some examples of this targeted drug delivery. Nanotechnologies could also add new pharmacological properties, like nanohells and dendrimers; (ii) living analysis. Nanotechnology provides technical assistance to in vivo imaging or metabolome analysis; (iii) central nervous system modeling. Research teams have modelized inorganic synapses and mimicked synaptic behavior, essential for further creation of artificial neural systems. Some nanoparticle assemblies present the same small world and free-scale network architecture as cortical neural networks. Nanotechnologies and quantum physics could be used to create models of artificial intelligence and mental illnesses.
DISCUSSION
Even if nanotechnologies are promising, their safety is still tricky and this must be kept in mind.
CONCLUSION
We are not about to see a concrete application of nanomedicine in daily psychiatric practice. However, it seems essential that psychiatrists do not forsake this area of research the perspectives of which could be decisive in the field of mental illness.
Topics: Biological Availability; Brain; Drug Delivery Systems; Forecasting; France; Humans; Models, Neurological; Nanotechnology; Neuropharmacology; Psychiatry; Psychotropic Drugs; Synapses
PubMed: 23545476
DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2013.02.002 -
Current Gene Therapy 2020Ischemic stroke is one of the main causes of mortality in advanced societies. Although gene therapy can be helpful, delivering gene therapy agents is challenging....
Ischemic stroke is one of the main causes of mortality in advanced societies. Although gene therapy can be helpful, delivering gene therapy agents is challenging. Nanotechnology can enhance the potential therapeutic effects and the efficiency of gene therapy for some brain disorders. The present systematic review was conducted based on the PRISMA protocol to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of nanoparticles as the carriers of gene therapy agents in stroke therapy. Relevant keywords were used to search from ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus for relevant publications up to April 24, 2020. The selected articles were assessed using certain scores on the quality of the articles. Data extraction and quality judgment were carried out by the present reviewers. Of 130 articles retrieved, seven met the inclusion criteria and were, therefore, included in the final analysis. The outcome of the reviewing process revealed that depending on the selection of the target genes, stroke gene therapies have acceptable therapeutic consequences. The nanoparticles could be used to carry the gene therapy agents that are efficient targeting in stroke treatment. Also, it appears that the use of nanoparticles such as PEGylation and PAMAM, can be a valuable option to intensify the efficiency and specific targeting of stroke location. In conclusion, due to the inability of brain regeneration and the importance of genes in stroke-related complications, gene therapy seems to be a suitable treatment strategy. The use of suitable nanoparticles for transportation ensures the efficiency and usefulness of this method.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Dendrimers; Disease Models, Animal; Genetic Therapy; Humans; Nanoparticles; Stroke
PubMed: 33045966
DOI: 10.2174/1566523220666201012150130