Abstract
The progress in nanotechnology has witnessed the emergence of several types and forms of nanomaterials for biomedical applications. Amidst the myriad of nanocarriers currently being investigated, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) emerge as a unique and novel class of nanomaterials which have shown considerable promise in cancer therapy and diagnosis. Their unusually large surface area has enabled engineering of the surface topography of CNTs making them biocompatible and providing therapeutic benefits. Having the ability to encapsulate small molecules, being amiable for stacking interactions and conjugation, several reports indicate that nanotubes have improved the profiles of anticancer agents. Photothermal and photoacoustic therapy are new avenues which have been facilitated by CNTs due their ability to absorb near infrared (NIR) radiation, which has a high depth of penetration in human tissue. The current review aims to familiarize reader with the concept of carbon nanotubes and their role in cancer therapy and diagnosis based on recent reports.
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Thakare, V.S., Prendergast, D., Pastorin, G., Jain, S. (2015). Carbon-Based Nanomaterials for Targeted Drug Delivery and Imaging. In: Devarajan, P., Jain, S. (eds) Targeted Drug Delivery : Concepts and Design. Advances in Delivery Science and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11355-5_19
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