Application of Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery

APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN DRUG DELIVERY 1
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APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN DRUG DELIVERY 2
The adoption of nanotechnology in drug delivery is the stepping stone for technology
breakthrough. The Nanocarriers used in the delivery systems serve to improve the
pharmaceutical and therapeutical application of conventional drugs. Another advantage is that
drugs loaded in the Nanocarrier particles are protected from possible controlled release, specific
targeting, and enzymatic degradation. Moreover the drug conjugates for Nano-carriers exhibit
specificity and effectiveness thus the accumulation of the drugs at target sites reduces the
possible side effects and toxicity in the tissues. As a result, the dosages of drugs tend to be
reduced Park (2013, pg. 7442-7447). Different nanoparticles utilized in drug delivery systems
include liposomes, virosomes, and polylactic-co-glycolic acid.
First, nanotechnology has been used in the delivery of cytotoxic drugs to specific tumor
cells in cancer chemotherapy. These counters the poor diffusions and selectivity properties of
anticancer drugs. In most cases, the Nanocarriers are modified to be compatible with specific
ligands capable of selectively interacting with surface markers of the target tumor cells
Wanigasekara and Witharana (2016, pg. 78-91). Currently, discoveries regarding active targeting
using carcinogenic molecular targets and Monoclonal antibodies have been utilized in surface
targeting of the desired epitopes hence linked covalently to targeted cancer drugs. These MABs-
immunoconjugates have so far been used in delivering the drugs to targeted specific tumors that
cause cancer. The same approach has been used in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia an
example being the Mylotarg, humanized antibody-calicheamicin conjugate.

APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN DRUG DELIVERY 3
Nanotechnology in the administration of vaccines has enhanced drug adjuvants in
improving both humoral and cell-mediated immunities by leveraging the delivery of antigens to
immune cells. The nanoparticle size is crucial in vivo biodistribution of the drugs and
influencing mechanisms of cellular immunity like endocytosis and phagocytosis. In addition,
nanoparticles used in nanotechnology facilitates interactions of the vaccine antigens with the
APCs, Antigen Presenting Cells thus overcoming limitations of immunotherapy impacts Sahoo
et.al (2017, pg. 73-124). These effects range from the instability of macromolecules to poor
interactions with the antigen presenting cells.
In gene delivery systems, AuNPs have been used due to their possibility of carrying
diverse payloads like biomolecules and small drug molecules. Adjustable optical features of
surfaces of AuNPs makes it a prominent property of drug release by internal or external stimuli.
Deliveries using external stimuli involves manipulation of photo-mediated release based on light
administration to photo cleavages of the particles Calixto et. al (2016, pg.342). This serves to
activate the drug, an approach demonstrated in 5-fluorouracil functionalized AuNPs. Owing to
the demonstration, almost 60% payloads of doxorubicin was capable of being loaded to the
hollow Nanospheres of gold due to molecule adsorption to both outer and inner surfaces via
electrostatic attractions. These doxorubicin loaded AuNPs are able to reverse resistance of cancer
cells to the administered drugs. To account for these, a platinum-tethered AuNP system was
designed bearing oxaliplatin active compound as the molecule of platinum.