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What are carbon nanotubes’ roles in anti-tumor therapies?

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  • Special Topic · Cancer Nanotechnology
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Abstract

Since their discovery, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become one of the most promising nanomaterials in many industrial and biomedical applications. Due to their unique physicochemical properties, CNTs have been proposed and actively exploited as multipurpose innovative carriers for cancer therapy. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the status of applications, advantages, and up-to-date research and development of carbon nanotubes in cancer therapy with an emphasis on drug delivery, photothermal therapy, gene therapy, RNAi, and immune therapy. In addition, the issues of risk and safety of CNTs in cancer nanotechnology are discussed briefly.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100005, China

    HaiYan Xu, Jie Meng & Hua Kong

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  1. HaiYan Xu
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  2. Jie Meng
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  3. Hua Kong
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Correspondence to HaiYan Xu.

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Xu, H., Meng, J. & Kong, H. What are carbon nanotubes’ roles in anti-tumor therapies?. Sci. China Chem. 53, 2250–2256 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-010-4117-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-010-4117-6

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