Chapter 3 - Nanotechnology Applications in Drug Controlled Release

SIMONAZZI, A.; CID, A. G.; VILLEGAS, M.; ROMERO, A. I.; PALMA, S. D.; BERMUDEZ, J. M.

Drug Targeting and Stimuli Sensitive Drug Delivery Systems

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Año: 2018; p. 81 - 116

Drug delivery research is clearly moving from the micro to nanoscale. Nanotechnology is therefore emerging as a field in medicine that is expected to elicit significant therapeutic benefits. At present, challenges in drug delivery include engineering intelligent vectors for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment, vectors that are safe, easily administered, and with a reduced cost. Moreover, there is an increasing need for controlling the delivery in relation to both dose and site, in order to decrease adverse side effects. A variety of nanodrug delivery systems such as nanoemulsions, lipid or polymeric nanoparticles, and liposomes are being investigated as functional drug carriers for treating a wide range of therapies, most notably cardiovascular defects, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Designed nanosized devices or drug carriers, often called nanocarriers or nanovehicles, provide various advantages for effective drug delivery. The future of nanotechnology in controlled drug delivery is very promising, due to scientists efforts from different disciplines combining to make nanotechnology applicable in key areas.