Nanotechnology is working on matter at nanolevel (one millionth of a millimeter) and nanomedicine is the use of this technology in medicine for diagnosis and treatment. Although research results are far from application on humans; yet, research body is growing fast and collaboration between specialties is creating some great laboratory advances. The aim of this thesis is to review, in brief, the future, pros and cons of using nanotechnology in medicine.
Definition
Nanomedicine is a subsidiary result of nanotechnology, it points to a specific medical intervention at molecule level for curing disease or repairing damaged tissues (National Health Institutes, 2008).
Nanomedicine: Impact on healthcare
Nanomedicine is one of the most advancing branches of nanotechnology; scientists expect it to transfigure the medical practice in fields of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention (Walker and Mouton, 2006).
Nanomedicine in oncology research:
Hui (2006) suggested four principal areas in nanotechnology cancer research, these are prevention and control where nanodevices have the potential of delivering cancer prevention agents to targeted cells. Second is the field of improving diagnosis, third, is early detection of malignant transformation to the cell level. Finally is model deliverance of a cancer chemotherapeutic agent to malignant cells; thus improving efficacy and reducing side effects. About diagnosis, Hui (2006) suggested three major achievements; labeled and nonlabeled contrast nanoparticles for tumor detection. Second is paramagnetic nonoparticles, which contain an iron central part that can be either small or ultrasmall and both are used in MRI imaging of malignant tissues. Third, quantum dots, which are semiconductor crystals with color properties depending on the particle size, and can be combined to specific tumor cells antibodies their main use is biolabeling because of their light-emitting properties.
Nanomedicine in diagnosis
The scope of nanodiagnostics extends to cell components as receptors, DNA sequential structure, pores, and other components. Clinical laboratory diagnostics can incorporate nanotechnology, quantum dots, biochips (used already in the Nano Pro System), and gold nanoparticles are famous examples. The possible applications of nanotechnology in clinical diagnostics are many but their use in cancer research and diagnosis of infectious diseases is near to reality (Zuo and others, 2007). Jain (2007) reviewed the potential uses of nanodiagnostics in infectious diseases and neurological disorders. Most standard methods lack high sensitivity and they are time-consuming, bioassays based on biological joining of nanoparticles can identify and quantify microorganisms within 20 minutes. A spectroscopic assay to determine the chemical composition and the physical properties using silver nanorods provide a rapid inexpensive way for identification and characterization of viruses. Applying nanotechnology to diagnose neurological disorders is in one of two ways, either using nanoparticle contrast media to obtain better MRI visualization of the CNS anatomic structures. Alternatively, is to use manganese oxide nanoparticles conjugated antibodies to visualize pathological changes of the CNS cells.
Pharmacologic nanotechnology
Two key requirements of pharmacology are the drug design and delivery, applying nanotechnology in these two areas is the focus of a great research. The use of nanoparticles and nanodevices improved new drugs development; besides, some nanomaterials as fullerenes could be effective therapies in the future (Zuo and other, 2007). Soluble by-products of fullerenes show great hopes. Fullerene compounds may serve as antiviral agents (notably against HIV), antibacterial agents against various microorganisms as E coli, Streptococci, M. tuberculosis. They have also the potential to treat tumors, and neurological disorders as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease (Freitas, 2005).
Nanomedicine: future prospects
Nanotechnology did not only change views to disease diagnosis and treatment it pointed out to the all aspects of the nanoworld around us. In the near future researchers expect developing selective nanobiosensors and improved drugs delivery systems, they also predict developing nanolabs measuring interactions within cells with abilities to summate measurement for an endless number of cells. In distant future, the whole concept of medicine may change with prevention and prediction of diseases to occupy the principal focus. With the help of nanotechnology, genetic surgery may become a simple common procedure for treatment and prevention of disease, repair of many of aging effects may become a reality. Although dreams can be achievable, yet some hopes are just excitements (Moghimi and others, 2005).
Nanomedicine: Pros and cons
The unlimited possibilities of using nanotechnology in healthcare with potential new applications constantly explored carry great hopes and are the pros of nanomedicine (Gwinn and Vallyathan 2006). Gwinn and Vallyathan (2006, pp. 1821-1824) summarized the cons of using nanotechnology in biology and medicine into the following: first, morbidity and mortality secondary to cardiovascular disease. Second, there is a possibility of increased pulmonary morbidity and mortality, finally; there is a possibility of translocation of these ultrafine particles causing toxicity to organs other than the targeted ones.
Conclusion
Nanotechnology is a field of research covering many scientific specialities as engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, and medicine. The rapidly increasing research developments carry the hopes for new prospects in diagnosis and treatment of many diseases including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Applications of this new technology in medicine include introducing new materials, high technology devices designed to work at nano levels whether cells or cell components. These hopes are not without concerns, ethical and social issues shadow research success.
