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Fighting cancer with nanoparticle medicines―The nanoscale matters

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Abstract

Papyrus writings from 1600–1500 BC describe cancer and the attempts at treatment. Centuries later, cancer remains a devastating disease. Given the long history of difficulties in developing cancer therapies, why is there excitement about nanoparticle medicine (nanomedicines) for fighting cancer? This article describes the current understanding of why these engineered, nano-sized medicines, which are highly multifunctional chemical systems, have the potential to provide revolutionary ways to treat cancer. This point is illustrated by physical insights at the nanoscale that allow for the development of nanoparticles that can function in both animals and humans. The human data show how we have translated two independent nanoparticle cancer therapeutics from laboratory curiosities to experimental therapeutics in human clinical trials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. California Institute of Technology, USA

    Mark E. Davis

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  1. Mark E. Davis
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Correspondence to Mark E. Davis.

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The following article is an edited transcript of the Fred Kavli Distinguished Lecture in Nanoscience presented by Mark E. Davis, on November 27, 2011, at the 2011 Materials Research Society Fall Meeting in Boston. The Lectureship is supported by the Kavli Foundation, which supports scientific research, honors scientific achievement, and promotes public understanding of scientists and their work. A video of the presentation can be viewed at www.mrs.org/f11-kavli-video.

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Davis, M.E. Fighting cancer with nanoparticle medicines―The nanoscale matters. MRS Bulletin 37, 828–835 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1557/mrs.2012.202

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