Nanotechnology, the science of manipulating materials at the molecular or atomic level, has emerged as a promising avenue for revolutionizing cancer treatment. This advanced technology enables the design and utilization of nanoscale materials, typically less than 100 nanometers in size, to diagnose, monitor, and treat cancer with unprecedented precision and efficacy. Conventional chemotherapy, while effective, often lacks specificity, affecting both cancerous and healthy cells and leading to significant side effects. Nanoparticles can be engineered to selectively target cancer cells, reducing collateral damage to healthy tissues. These nanoparticles can be loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and functionalized with ligands or antibodies that recognize and bind to specific cancer cell markers, ensuring that the drug is released directly at the tumor site.
Nanoparticles such as quantum dots and gold nanoparticles exhibit unique optical properties that can enhance the contrast in imaging techniques like MRI, PET, and CT scans. This enhancement allows for earlier detection and more accurate localization of tumors, facilitating timely intervention and improved prognosis. Additionally, nanotechnology offers innovative therapeutic approaches such as photothermal and photodynamic therapies. In photothermal therapy, nanoparticles convert absorbed light into heat, selectively destroying cancer cells upon light irradiation. Photodynamic therapy involves photosensitizer-loaded nanoparticles that produce reactive oxygen species when exposed to light, inducing cell death.
Therefore, this Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive, contemporary collection of research focusing on exploring nanotechnology for cancer treatment. We welcome Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Perspectives, Commentaries, Data notes, and technical notes, but are not limited to the following:
• Research focuses on developing nanoparticles that can deliver chemotherapeutic drugs directly to cancer cells.
• Studies on using nanoparticles to deliver genetic material, such as siRNA or CRISPR-Cas9, to cancer cells to inhibit tumor growth.
• Research on photosensitizer-loaded nanoparticles that produce reactive oxygen species when exposed to light, leading to targeted cancer cell death.
• Research related to nanoparticles such as quantum dots and gold nanoparticles for their ability to enhance the contrast in imaging techniques like MRI, PET, and CT scans, aiding in early detection and precise tumor localization.
Keywords:
Cancer, Nanotechnology, Nanocarrier, Nanoparticle
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Nanotechnology, the science of manipulating materials at the molecular or atomic level, has emerged as a promising avenue for revolutionizing cancer treatment. This advanced technology enables the design and utilization of nanoscale materials, typically less than 100 nanometers in size, to diagnose, monitor, and treat cancer with unprecedented precision and efficacy. Conventional chemotherapy, while effective, often lacks specificity, affecting both cancerous and healthy cells and leading to significant side effects. Nanoparticles can be engineered to selectively target cancer cells, reducing collateral damage to healthy tissues. These nanoparticles can be loaded with chemotherapeutic agents and functionalized with ligands or antibodies that recognize and bind to specific cancer cell markers, ensuring that the drug is released directly at the tumor site.
Nanoparticles such as quantum dots and gold nanoparticles exhibit unique optical properties that can enhance the contrast in imaging techniques like MRI, PET, and CT scans. This enhancement allows for earlier detection and more accurate localization of tumors, facilitating timely intervention and improved prognosis. Additionally, nanotechnology offers innovative therapeutic approaches such as photothermal and photodynamic therapies. In photothermal therapy, nanoparticles convert absorbed light into heat, selectively destroying cancer cells upon light irradiation. Photodynamic therapy involves photosensitizer-loaded nanoparticles that produce reactive oxygen species when exposed to light, inducing cell death.
Therefore, this Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive, contemporary collection of research focusing on exploring nanotechnology for cancer treatment. We welcome Original Research Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Perspectives, Commentaries, Data notes, and technical notes, but are not limited to the following:
• Research focuses on developing nanoparticles that can deliver chemotherapeutic drugs directly to cancer cells.
• Studies on using nanoparticles to deliver genetic material, such as siRNA or CRISPR-Cas9, to cancer cells to inhibit tumor growth.
• Research on photosensitizer-loaded nanoparticles that produce reactive oxygen species when exposed to light, leading to targeted cancer cell death.
• Research related to nanoparticles such as quantum dots and gold nanoparticles for their ability to enhance the contrast in imaging techniques like MRI, PET, and CT scans, aiding in early detection and precise tumor localization.
Keywords:
Cancer, Nanotechnology, Nanocarrier, Nanoparticle
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.