Nanotechnology in health

Abdirahman Hussein Nor

Healthcare technological development and
digitalization
22215681
OUTLINES

• Introduction nanotechnology

• History of nanotechnology

• Basic Principles of Nanotechnology in health

• Types of Nanomaterials

• Case studies in nanotechology

INTRODUCTION

Nanotechnology is profoundly influencing the healthcare

sector by enabling the manipulation of matter at the
atomic and molecular scale, offering advancements in
diagnostics, treatment, and drug delivery systems. This
technology has shown potential in improving medical
imaging, creating more effective therapeutic treatments,
and engineering tissue regeneration.
The history of nanotechnology

1959: Richard Feynman's lecture "Plenty of Room at

the Bottom" hinted at the potential for
nanotechnology to revolutionize medicine, although
the direct implications for health weren't explored
until later.
CONT…..

• 1970s-1980s: Initial theoretical discussions and

laboratory experiments explored how nanoscale
materials might interact with biological systems.
However, practical applications in medicine were
not yet realized
Growth of Nanomedicine

Early 2000s: The field of nanomedicine began to

gain formal recognition, with the establishment of
dedicated journals and funding programs. Research
intensified in using nanoparticles for targeted drug
delivery, imaging, and diagnostics.
Recent Developments and Clinical
Advances

2016: The approval of the first oncology treatment

using nanoparticle delivery systems marked a
significant milestone, showcasing the practical
effectiveness of nanotechnology in targeted cancer
therapy.
Current Trends and Future Directions

COVID-19 Pandemic: Nanotechnology played a

crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the
development of vaccine delivery systems using lipid
nanoparticles, notably in the Pfizer-BioNTech and
Modern vaccines.
 Basic Principles of Nanotechnology in
health
• Targeted Drug Delivery

Precision Targeting: Nanotechnology enables the

development of drug delivery systems that can target specific

cells or tissues in the body, reducing side effects and increasing

the efficacy of treatments. Nanoparticles can be engineered to

recognize and bind to specific biomarkers on cancer cells, for

instance, delivering chemotherapy directly to the tumor while

sparing healthy cells.

 Enhanced Bioavailability

Solubility and Stability: Many therapeutic

compounds suffer from poor solubility or stability in
the human body. Nanoparticles can encapsulate these
drugs, enhancing their solubility and protecting them
from premature degradation in the bloodstream, thus
improving their bioavailability and therapeutic
 Controlled Release

• Sustained Release: Nanotechnology can be used to

design systems that release therapeutic agents in a
controlled manner over time. This sustained release
helps maintain optimal drug levels in the body,
which can be crucial for chronic conditions
requiring consistent medication levels.
 Diagnostic Nanotools

Sensitive Detection: Nanoscale devices can detect

diseases at much earlier stages than traditional
methods by identifying biomarkers at extremely low
concentrations. This sensitivity is crucial for diseases
like cancer and Alzheimer's, where early detection
can significantly influence treatment outcomes.
 Nanoscale Imaging

Improved Imaging: Nanoparticles can be used as

contrast agents in imaging techniques such as MRI, CT
scans, and PET scans. These agents enhance the
contrast of images, providing clearer, more detailed
visuals of tissues, which can improve the accuracy of
diagnostics and the assessment of treatment responses.
 Multifunctionality

Integrated Functions: Nanodevices and nanoparticles

can be designed to perform multiple functions
simultaneously, such as diagnosing a disease,
delivering a therapeutic agent, and monitoring the
treatment’s effectiveness. This multifunctionality can
lead to more comprehensive and efficient healthcare
solutions.
 Regenerative Medicine

Tissue Engineering: Nanotechnology provides

materials that can mimic the structural features of
biological tissues at the nanoscale, supporting the
growth and regeneration of specific tissues. This is
especially important in creating scaffolds for tissue
engineering that promote cell attachment, growth, and
differentiation
 Immunomodulation

Immune System Interaction: Nanoparticles can be

designed to interact with the immune system in
specific ways, enhancing vaccine efficacy or
suppressing unwanted immune reactions in
autoimmune diseases or allergies.
 Minimally Invasive Techniques

Nano-surgery: Techniques such as nanoparticle-

mediated laser therapy allow for precise surgical
interventions at the cellular level, which can be less
invasive and damaging than traditional methods.
 Types of Nanomaterials

Nanoparticles: These are the most basic form of

nanomaterials, consisting of particles with all three
dimensions in the nanoscale. They are widely used in
medicine, electronics, and environmental
applications.
 Cont…

Nanotubes: Carbon nanotubes are cylindrical

structures with diameters as small as 1 nanometer.
They are known for their extraordinary mechanical,
electrical, and thermal properties and are used in
applications ranging from electronics to composite
materials.
 CONT….

Nanosheets: These are two-dimensional materials

with one dimension outside the nanoscale. The most
famous example is graphene, a single layer of carbon
atoms with remarkable strength and conductivity.

Nanowires: These are wires with a diameter in the

nanoscale & an unconstrained length. They have
applications in electronics and photonics.
 Cont….

Quantum dots: These are semiconductor particles a

few nanometers in size, having optical and electronic
properties that differ from larger particles due to
quantum mechanics. They are used in medical
imaging and optoelectronics
 Case Study: Use of Liposomal
Nanoparticles in Treating Breast Cancer

• Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of

liposomal doxorubicin (a nanoparticle formulation)
compared to conventional doxorubicin in treating
metastatic breast cancer..
 Cont…..

• Background: Doxorubicin is a chemotherapy

medication used widely to treat various cancers,
including breast cancer. However, its use is often
limited by severe side effects, such as cardiotoxicity.
Liposomal encapsulation of doxorubicin was
developed to enhance drug delivery to cancer cells
while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues,
thereby reducing side effects
Methodology:

• Participants: The study included 300 female

patients with metastatic breast cancer who had not
previously received chemotherapy for metastasis.

• Design: This was a randomized controlled trial.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive
either liposomal doxorubicin or conventional
doxorubicin.
Cont…

• Dose: Both groups received equivalent dosages

based on doxorubicin content, administered
intravenously every three weeks for up to eight
cycles.

• Assessments: Efficacy was measured by tumor

response rates, progression-free survival, and overall
survival. Safety was assessed by monitoring adverse
effects, particularly cardiotoxicity.
 Results

• Efficacy: The liposomal doxorubicin group showed a

comparable tumor response rate to the conventional doxorubicin
group but had significantly better progression-free survival rates.

• Safety: Significantly fewer patients in the liposomal group

experienced severe cardiotoxicity compared to those in the
conventional group. Overall, side effects such as hair loss and
nausea were also less common in the liposomal group.
 Case Study: Use of Nanoparticle-Enhanced
Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Infected
Patients

• Objective: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of

nanoparticle-enhanced antiretroviral therapy (ART)
in improving drug delivery and reducing dosing
frequency in HIV-infected individuals
Cont……

• Background: Antiretroviral therapy is the standard treatment

for HIV infection, involving a combination of drugs to
effectively suppress the virus. However, issues such as drug
resistance, side effects, and the need for daily dosing
complicate long-term management. Nanoparticle
formulations are designed to overcome these challenges by
improving drug stability, reducing degradation, and enabling
targeted delivery.
Methodology

• Participants: 200 HIV-positive adults who were

either newly diagnosed or stable on conventional
ART.

• Design: This was a double-blind, placebo-

controlled, randomized trial. Participants were
divided into two groups: one receiving nanoparticle-
enhanced ART and the other receiving standard ART
Cont….

• Treatment: The nanoparticle group received formulations

designed to release the drugs slowly over time, potentially
allowing for weekly instead of daily dosing.

• Assessments: The primary outcomes were viral load

suppression, CD4+ T-cell counts, and adherence levels.
Secondary outcomes included patient-reported side
effects and quality of life measures.
Results

• Viral Suppression: Both groups achieved high rates

of viral suppression, but the nanoparticle group
maintained suppression with less frequent dosing.

• CD4+ T-cell Recovery: There were no significant

differences in CD4+ T-cell recovery between the
groups.
Cont…

• Adherence and Quality of Life: Adherence rates were higher

in the nanoparticle group, attributed to the reduced dosing
frequency. Quality of life scores were also marginally better
in this group, particularly in terms of treatment satisfaction.

• Side Effects: The nanoparticle-enhanced ART was well-

tolerated, with a side effect profile similar to that of standard
ART.
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