ONS Connect - July 2008 - (Page 23)

aCLOSErLOOk Nanotechnology Treats Cancer at the Atomic Level [By Michele e. Gaguski, MSN, RN, AOCN ®, CHPN, APN-C, Contributing Editor] hat is tinier than the width of a human hair? What is the size of 10 hydrogen atoms? What is similar in dimension to a grain of sand? The answer is a cutting-edge technology called nanotechnology, which may be our “tiniest” leap forward in treating cancer. Nanotechnology refers to the engineering and manufacturing of materials using atomic and molecular components with structures that are 1–100 nanometers in at least one dimension (National Nanotechnology Initiative, n.d.). In cancer care, the technology lends itself to developing nanoparticles that may treat cancer through an array of modalities such as (a) detecting cancer cells with enormous specificity and sensitivity through diagnostic imaging, (b) creating tiny delivery systems that release drugs only into tumor cells, (c) increasing drug dwell time in tumors to improve efficacy yet minimize toxicity, and (d) improving tumor cell uptake of drugs via improved bioavailability systems. Nanomedicine, although in early stages of clinical development, is the medical application of nanotechnology. Nanomedicine seeks to deliver a valuable set of research tools and clinically helpful devices in the near future. The greatest impact of these technologies is expected to be in cancer therapy, in which a differentially abnormal pattern of gene or protein expression exists (Alexis et al., 2008). Cancer nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary area of research in science, engineering, and medicine with broad applications for molecular imaging, molecular diagnosis, and targeted therapy (Nie, Xing, Kim, & Simmons, 2007). The small size of nanoparticles endows W them with properties that can be very useful in oncology, particularly in imaging. Quantum dots (nanoparticles with quantum confinement properties, such as sizetunable light emission), when used in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging, can produce a higher-contrast image at a lower cost than today’s organic dyes. Another nanoproperty, high surface area–tovolume ratio, allows many functional groups to be attached to a nanoparticle, which can seek out and bind to certain tumor cells. In addition, the small size of nanoparticles allows them to preferentially accumulate at tumor sites because tumors lack an effective lymphatic drainage system. Further research focuses on developing methods to make imaging nanoparticles do more for treating cancer (Nie et al., 2007). Current clinical studies also are focusing on the use of sensor chips to detect proteins and other identifiers left behind by tumors in an effort to detect cancer in an earlier stage, on the development of bioconjugated nanoparticles to further understand cancer behavior, and on the creation of nanoparticle-based therapeutic and diagnostic drugs that may be encapsulated, convalently attached, or adsorbed onto nanoparticles. Oncology nurses are already intergrating some nanotechnology principles into their practices in the forms of single photon–emission computed tomogra- phy and positron-emission tomography scanning techniques and in the administration of Abraxane® (Abraxis Oncology) for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Continued advancements in the specialty of nanotechnology represent exciting opportunities for furthering the era of personalized oncology medicine in which emphasis on the molecular profiles of patients will take precedence. ✱ Alexis, F., Rhee, J.W., Richie, J.P., Radovic-Moreno, A.F., Langer, R., & Farokhzad, O.C. (2008). New frontiers in nanotechnology for cancer treatment. Urologic Oncology, 26(1), 74–85. National Nanotechnology Initiative. (n.d.). What is nanotechnology? Retrieved May 8, 2008, from http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/whatIsNano .html Nie, S., Xing, Y., Kim, G.J., & Simmons, J.W. (2007). Nanotechnology applications in cancer. Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering, 9, 257–288. 11.5" 11.25" 10.5" 9.875" Contributing Editor Michele E. Gaguski, MSN, RN, AOCN®, CHPN, APN-C, is an oncology clinical nurse specialist in oncology services at Ocean Medical Center in Brick, NJ. July 2008 ONS CONNECT 23 http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/whatIsNano.html http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/whatIsNano.html

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ONS Connect - July 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In Technologic Advancements in Cancer Care A Year in the Life - Month Seven Web Connect Capitol Connection Notice Nursing Now Caregiver Care Computerized System Standardizes Symptom Assessment and Management Nanotechnology Treats Cancer at the Atomic Level Rise in Mastectomies May Be Linked to Increased Use of MRI Detection Working for You Calendar of Events Staying on Top

ONS Connect - July 2008

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