Nanomicelles: using nanoparticles for cancer treatment

Context: GS Paper III S&T Nanotechnology (PT-Mains-Essay)

With the advance in nanotechnology, researchers across the globe have been exploring how to use nanoparticles for efficient drug delivery.
Similar to nanoshells and nanovesicles, nanomicelles are extremely small structures and have been noted as an emerging platform in targeted therapy.
Nanomicelles are globelike structures with a hydrophilic outer shell and a hydrophobic interior.
This dual property makes them a perfect carrier for delivering drug molecules.
Now a multidisciplinary, multiinstitutional team has created a nanomicelle that can be used to deliver a drug named docetaxel, which is commonly used to treat various cancers including breast, colon and lung cancer.
The nanomicelles are less than 100nm in size and are stable at room temperature.
Once injected intravenously these nanomicelles can easily escape the circulation and enter the solid tumours where the blood vessels are found to be leaky.
These leaky blood vessels are absent in healthy organs. “Chemical conjugation would render the phospholipiddocetaxel prodrug to be silent in the circulation and healthy organs.
But once it enters the cancer cells, the enzymes will cleave the bond to activate the drug and kill the cancer cells

Source: TH

Join Our Telegram

Britain and EU release the text of Post Brexit Trade Deal

IISER scientists identify the gene that greens plants

E-pharmacies

08 Mar, 23
SHARE

E-pharmacies The Ministry of Health sent "show cause" letters to at least 20 businesses in February 2023 for online drug sales, including Tata-1mg, Flipkart, Apollo, PharmEasy, Amazon, and Reliance Netmeds. What is e-pharmacy? E-pharmacy refers to the purchasing and selling of drugs and other pharmaceutical products through a

Punchhi Commission Report

08 Mar, 23
SHARE

Punchhi Commission Report The Punchhi Commission's report on relations between the federal government and its constituent states will now be reviewed for state responses, according to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Historical Background: A Commission on Centre-State Relations was established by the Indian government,

Indo-German Relations

08 Mar, 23
SHARE

Indo-German Relations Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, recently paid a bilateral visit to India. It is Scholz's first trip to India after taking office as German Chancellor in December 2021, ending Angela Merkel's illustrious 16-year reign. About the news: The visit of the German chancellor is significant because i

India Denmark Cooperation

07 Mar, 23
SHARE

India Denmark Cooperation During the "India-Denmark: Partners for Green and Sustainable Development Conference" in New Delhi, the Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change said that India and Denmark can work together to show that reaching ambitious climate and sustainable energy targets is possible. Since the Gr

Mob lynching and Cow Vigilantism

07 Mar, 23
SHARE

Mob lynching and Cow Vigilantism The recent lynching and burning of two men in Haryana on the basis of allegations of unlawful cow slaughter, smuggling, or transportation bring attention to the problem of mob lynching. About cow vigilantism: Mob attacks carried out in the guise of "cow protection" primarily target Mus