Advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology in the last decade have lead to the development of novel platforms with nanoscale-controlled physical properties (dimensions, porosity, topology, functional surface). Inorganic nanotubes show some potentialities in biomedicine, particularly because of their large aspect ratio (lenght/width). Ons advantage of nanotubes is the possibility of differential functionalization that can provide the inner voids for loading drug molecules or imaging agents and the outside surface for targeting moieties, antifouling agents or different kinds of molecules. Moreover, since the exploration of the template synthesis producing nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide, it is possibly to obtain monodispersed nanotubes of nearly any size and pore diameter just by changing the anodization conditions and composed of nearly any material. Silica-based particles are also known for their biocompatibility and its easy surface functionalization that allows modifying the hydroxyls on the surface with amines, thiols, carboxyls, and methacrylate, depending on the objective.
According to the aforementioned, the two primary challenges confronting drug-delivery systems are the achievement of a sustained delivery of the drug in the proximity of the diseased organ and the preferential targeting of malignant cells by the drug. Current research aims to overcome these challenges, developing novel delivery systems with versatile surface functionalization and high transfection efficiency.
Also, magnetic nanowires and nanotubes (MNWs) conjugated with a folic acid can provide a combination of drug targeting (chemotherapy) and treatment by hyperthermia.
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