Cancer nanotechnology: opportunities and challenges

Key Points Nanotechnology concerns the study of devices that are themselves or have essential components in the 1–1,000 nm dimensional range (that is, from a few atoms to subcellular size). Two main subfields of nanotechnology are nanovectors — for the administration of targeted therapeutic and imaging moieties — and the precise patterning of surfaces. Nanotechnology is no stranger to oncology: liposomes are early examples of cancer nanotherapeutics, and nanoscale-targeted magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents illustrate the application of nanotechnology to diagnostics. Photolithography is a light-directed surface-patterning method, which is the technological foundation of microarrays and the surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight approach to proteomics. Nanoscale resolution is now possible with photolithography, and will give rise to instruments that can pack a much greater density of information than current biochips. The ability of nanotechnology to yield advances in early detection, diagnostics, prognostics and the selection of therapeutic strategies is predicated based on its ability to 'multiplex' — that is, to detect a broad multiplicity of molecular signals and biomarkers in real time. Prime examples of multiplexing detection nanotechnologies are arrays of nanocantilevers, nanowires and nanotubes. Multifunctionality is the fundamental advantage of nanovectors for the cancer-specific delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents. Primary functionalities include the avoidance of biobarriers and biomarker-based targeting, and the reporting of therapeutic efficacy. Thousands of nanovectors are currently under study. By systematically combining them with preferred therapeutic and biological targeting moieties it might be possible to obtain a very large number of novel, personalized therapeutic agents. Novel mathematical models are needed, in order to secure the full import of nanotechnology into oncology. Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field, which covers a vast and diverse array of devices derived from engineering, biology, physics and chemistry. These devices include nanovectors for the targeted delivery of anticancer drugs and imaging contrast agents. Nanowires and nanocantilever arrays are among the leading approaches under development for the early detection of precancerous and malignant lesions from biological fluids. These and other nanodevices can provide essential breakthroughs in the fight against cancer.