Publisher's Synopsis
Continuing improvement in the pharmacological and therapeutic properties of drugs is driving the revolution in novel drug delivery systems. In fact, a wide spectrum of therapeutic nanocarriers has been extensively investigated to address this emerging need. Nanotechnology involves the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale. Recent years have witnessed unprecedented growth of research and applications in the area of nanoscience and nanotechnology. There is increasing optimism that nanotechnology, as applied to medicine, will bring signi cant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Anticipated applications in medicine include drug delivery, both in vitro and in vivo diagnostics, nutraceuticals and production of improved biocompatible materials. As such, nanomaterials are poised to take advantage of existing cellular machinery to facilitate the delivery of drugs. The use of nanotechnology in medicine and more speci cally drug delivery is set to spread rapidly. Currently many substances are under investigation for drug delivery and more speci cally for cancer therapy. anoparticles (NPs) containing encapsulated, dispersed, absorbed or conjugated drugs have unique characteristics that can lead to enhanced performance in a variety of dosage forms. When formulated correctly, drug particles are resistant to settling and can have higher saturation solubility, rapid dissolution and enhanced adhesion to biological surfaces, thereby providing rapid onset of therapeutic action and improved bioavailability. In addition, the vast majority of molecules in a nanostructure reside at the particle surface, which maximizes the loading and delivery of cargos, such as therapeutic drugs, proteins and polynucleotides, to targeted cells and tissues. Highly e cient drug delivery, based on nanomaterials, could potentially reduce the drug dose needed to achieve therapeutic bene t, which, in turn, would lower the cost and/or reduce the side e ects associated with particular drugs. This book, Application of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, deals with the new and ongoing potentialities of nanotechnology application of drug delivery. In addition, it discusses advances in design, optimization, and adaptation of gene delivery systems for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases, and considers assessment and review procedures involved in the development of gene-based pharmaceuticals.
