Novel Biomaterials and Nano-Biotechnology Approaches in Tumor Diagnosis

Each year 10.9 million people worldwide are diagnosed with cancer and it is the third most common disease in world. Early diagnosis of cancer and cure are major challenges. Recent advances in development of novel biomaterials as well as rapid progress in the area of nano-biotechnology has potentials to change all the current modalities of cancer diagnosis and management. The unique physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials are extremely helpful for detection of biomarkers of the disease, molecular imaging as well as specific targeted therapy sparing the normal organs. Nanoparticle (NP) has large surface area which can be conjugated or coated with different molecular probes for diverse detection system (optical, electrical, magnetic etc.) as well as used as a vehicle to carry different biomolecules and anticancer drugs to tumor cells. Semiconductor quantum dot (QD) with novel optical and electronic properties helped to devise a new class of NP probes for molecular, cellular, and in vivo imaging. A large variety of materials ranging from metal, ceramic, polymer, lipid, protein and nucleic acid are used for developing novel nanoparticles with multiple functions which can detect different aspects of cancer biology and progression. The major issue of concern is biocompatibility and safety of these materials and their fate after in-vivo use. However with collaborative interdisciplinary research it will be possible to develop safer nanomaterials in future