The application of nanomaterials in biomedicine is a very active field of
research, as it has the potential for developing several innovations in health care,
diagnosis, medical imaging and therapy. In particular, the use of nanostructured
materials for drug formulations is drawing the attention of pharmaceutical companies
and research groups around the world. The development of new systems for controlled
drug transportation and delivery is a very complex multidisciplinary field since they
must possess unique physical and chemical features to improve the stability of the
active pharmaceutical ingredient, to enhance drug bioavailability and delivery
efficiency, as well as to control the drug clearance rate. Nanomaterials present unique
physical properties that offer several advantages over traditional carrier systems. There
are several systems that can be selected for a specific formulation, depending on the
administration route, such as carbon nanostructures (e.g., graphene, graphene oxide and
carbon nanotubes), nanoliposomes, micelles, dendrimers, polymeric and inorganic
nanoparticles (e.g., metallic, metal oxides and composites), among several others. All
the aforementioned systems will require intensive research to thoroughly understand
their safety and long-term effects in order for them to be included in health products in
the future. This chapter reviews the most recent progress on the development of
mesoporous nanocarriers for controlled transport and delivery of anti-cancer drugs.
First, some fundamental ideas are discussed on the actual benefits and risks of using
nanomaterials in pharmaceutical formulations, compared with current existing
technologies. Some of the most representative mesoporous materials used to develop
efficient nanocarriers are presented. Their physical and chemical properties are
introduced to better understand their advantages in terms of the design of efficient
systems for the controlled delivery and release of anti-cancer drugs. Moreover, the
design of novel anti-cancer drug transport and delivery systems that harness the unique
characteristics of mesoporous nanomaterials is addressed. Finally, some of the potential
risks associated with the biomedical use of nanostructured materials, related to their
diverse chemical compositions, physical properties and technological applications, are examined along with proposed ways to minimize their potential health and
environmental impact.
Keywords: Anticancer Drugs, Bioavailability, Cancer, Controlled Release, Drug
Delivery, Drug Release, Mesoporous, Metal Oxides, Nanomaterials,
Nanocarriers, Nanocarbon, Nanotoxicity, Pharmaceutical Formulation, Targeted
Delivery.
