A Tiny Glimpse into the Immensity of Nanomedicine

Cynthia Beynon, PhD Student

University of Utah College of Nursing

The Change

After Robert Hooke and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek first saw microscopic fungi, protozoa, and bacteria in the 1660’s, the whole world of medicine was transformed.  This new perspective revolutionized our understanding of illness prevention and intervention, making the previous best efforts of well-meaning individuals not only obsolete, but imprudent (Gest, 2004).  Decades from now, we may compare this change with current discoveries underway in the even more minute world of nanotechnology.

Size

According to nano.gov, “the prefix "nano" means one-billionth, or 10^-9; therefore one nanometer is one-billionth of a meter” (Nano.gov, 2017).

(Paumier, 2003)

For a bit of perspective, watch this video from the World Science Festival (Festival, 2013): How Big is a Nanometer?

Definition

Nanotechnology is manufacturing and manipulation of particles with at least one dimension that measures between 1-100 nm (Nano.gov, 2017).  Components used include nanoparticles, quantum dots, nanotubes, fullerenes, nanowires, etc. (Nanowerk.com, 2017).  This site can even direct you to order these nanoproducts!

Nano-size fragments exponentially increase the surface area available for manipulation and demonstrate unique properties in composition, agglomeration, structure, charge, and solubility (Nikalje, 2015).  Additionally, “Cellular responses are critically different at the nano-scale level” (Banik, 2016, p. 271).

History

Evidence of the use of nanotechnology dates as far back as the 4^th century, but it was not until the late 1800s that scientists began to understand and experiment with nanostructures.  The term “nanotechnology” was first coined by Taniguchi, a professor in Tokyo in 1974.  Nanotechnology companies emerged in the United States in the 1990s, and during the next decade, products that contained nanotechnology began to appear on the market.  Also in 2000, the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was created, and funding from Congress followed in 2001 (Nano.gov, 2017).

In 2008, Science Daily reported there were 2-4 new products entering the market every single week (ScienceDaily, 2008).  Maintaining a useful Nanotechnology Consumer Products Inventory has proved challenging, in part due to a lack of standardization and measurement in composition and labeling. Additionally, a significant number of products that claimed to use nanomaterials do not appear to be credible. A revised inventory from 2013 listed “1814 consumer products from 622 companies in 32 countries” (Vance, 2015, p. 1769).

Applications

Research in nanotechnology results in an almost incomprehensibly broad range of applications:  fabrics, personal care, household products, computers, vehicles, electronics, transportation, energy, water purification, and environmental sustainability, just to name a few.  Here are some examples of nanotechnology-developed products you may be familiar with ("Discover," 2010).

In the field of Nano medicine, some areas of particular focus have included cancer treatment, antibiotic resistance, drug targeting, diagnosis and imaging, and vaccine delivery.  Current research in immunotherapy is investigating the use of nanoparticles that incorporate peanut extract as an oral agent to desensitize patient and prevent anaphylaxis  (Nowak-Wegrzyn, 2017).  Researchers are working to increase availability and serviceability of the Hepatitis B vaccine by developing a mucosal delivery method utilizing nanotechnology (Eng-Kiong, 2016).  Other scientists concerned with the detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation on human skin introduced nanoparticles titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to develop a sunscreen that no longer leaves the familiar white cream on the skin (Baron, 2016).  

As of July 18, 2017, ClinicalTrials.gov search results for “nanotechnology AND nano” yielded 185 studies in the following areas: heart failure, hernia, multiple sclerosis, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, dental caries, Parkinson’s disease, coronary stenosis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, yeast infection, environmental contamination, cryptococcal infections, leukemia, menopause, and many more (ClinicalTrials.gov, 2017).  

ClinicalTrials.gov - provides patients, their family members, and the public with easy and free access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions.

Risks and Concerns

Nanotechnology is not without its concerns.  Some researchers have expressed apprehension regarding potential toxicity.  What effect will nanoparticles have when they are percutaneously absorbed (Baron, 2016)?  What effect will breathing nanoparticles have on the respiratory system (Goldman, 2017)?

In Europe, regulators took a more cautious position about the introduction of nanotechnology, while regulation has been minimal in the USA. There is a lack of research regarding long-term implications, and concerns about nominal regulation and limited guidelines  (ScientificAmerica.com, 2009).

Other concerns involve financial and ethical implications of developments in nanotechnology. An article published in The New York Times in July of 2017 announced the approval of a gene-altering leukemia treatment.  The drug, CTL019, was associated with an 82.5 percent remission rate.  The exciting news brings hope, but it is not without misgivings.  Treatment is predicted to cost $300,000 or more (Grady, 2017).  The financial ramifications of nanotechnology are worth consideration.  Who will pay for this treatment?  Will it be available for everyone? Or will physical suffering and life-expectance be directly dependent on economic status?

Additionally, nanotechnology is a booming business.  According to the National Science Foundation, worldwide revenue from Nano-enhanced products was 1 trillion dollars in 2013 ("Market report on emerging nanotechnology now available," 2014). When something is so profitable, how closely do producers look at the long-term ramifications and safety concerns?

To Learn More

1. Order the Big Things from a Tiny World brochure from Nano.gov.
2. Watch a video about nanotechnology.  Here are some options from NBCLearn and YouTube.
3.  Read a journal.  Multiple publications are devoted to nanotechnology research and application, including Nanotechnology; Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology; Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine; Journal of Nanoparticle Research; Nano Research; NANO.  Check out this link for information about Nanotechnology Journal Impact Factors. (OMICSonline.org, n.d.)
4. Attend a conference.  There are many opportunities to attend a workshop or conference and learn more about nanotechnology.  Here are some conference ideas.  (OMICSonline.org, n.d.)

In Conclusion

This October, celebrate Nano Day!  Since a nano is 10^-9, October 9^th has been designated the day to celebrate all things Nano.  You can participate in films, podcasts, and seminars—and even run the one hundred billion nanometer dash! 

The impact of nanotechnology is reaching into multiple aspects of our lives, and so far we are barely seeing the tip of the iceberg.  Look for exciting things ahead as previously unimaginable things become possible through nanotechnology! 

References

Banik, B. L., Fattahi P., & Brown, J. L. (2016). Polymeric nanoparticles: the future of nanomedicine. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnology, 8, 271-299. doi:10.1002.wnan.1364

Baron, E. D. (2016, December 7, 2016). Selection of sunscreen and sun-protective measures. UpToDate.  Retrieved from https://www-uptodate-com.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/contents/selection-of-sunscreen-and-sun-protective-measures?source=search_result&search=selection%20of%20sunscreen%20and%20sun-protective%20measures&selectedTitle=1~150

ClinicalTrials.gov. (2017).   Retrieved from ClinicalTrials.gov

Discover. (2010). Science for the the curious; the 9 best nanotechnology-powered products.  Retrieved from http://discovermagazine.com/galleries/zen-photo/n/nanotech-products

Eng-Kiong, T. L., A. (2016, August 9, 2016). Hepatitis B virus vaccination. UpToDate.  Retrieved from https://www-uptodate-com.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/contents/hepatitis-b-virus-vaccination?source=search_result&search=hepatitis%20b%20virus%20vaccination&selectedTitle=5~150

Festival, W. S. (2013). How Big is a Nanometer?

Gest, H. (2004). The discovery of microorganisms by Robert Hooke and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Fellows of The Royal Society. Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London, 58(2), 187-201. doi:10.1098/rsnr.2004.0055

Goldman, R. H. (2017, Feb 21, 2017). Overview of occupational and environmental health. UpToDate.  Retrieved from https://www-uptodate-com.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/contents/overview-of-occupational-and-environmental-health?source=search_result&search=overview%20of%20occupation%20and%20environmental%20health&selectedTitle=1~150

Grady, D. (2017). F.D.A. panel recommends approval for gene-altering leukemia treatment. The New York Times, p. 5. Retrieved from http://nyti.ms/2ua97p5

Market report on emerging nanotechnology now available. (2014). [Press release]. Retrieved from https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=130586

Nano.gov. (2017). Size of the nanoscale. National Nanotechnology Initiative.  Retrieved from https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what/nano-size

Nanowerk.com. (2017). Nanomaterials database.   Retrieved from nanowerk.com/nanomaterial-database.php

Nikalje, A. P. (2015). Nanotechnology and its applications in medicine. Medicinal Chemistry, 5, 81-89. doi:10.4172/2161-0444.1000247

Nowak-Wegrzyn, A. (2017, July 10, 2017). Investigation therapies for food allergy: oral immunotherapy. UpToDate.  Retrieved from https://www-uptodate-com.ezproxy.lib.utah.edu/contents/investigational-therapies-for-food-allergy-oral-immunotherapy?source=search_result&search=nanoparticles&selectedTitle=2~12

OMICSonline.org. (n.d.). Nanotechnology journals.   Retrieved from https://www.omicsonline.org/nanotechnology-journals-impact-factor-ranking.php?gclid=CjwKCAjw8IXMBRB8EiwAg9fgMPez-OqVHoBcjU0HqCcxOvQi-RD9yRudfe1EfMiH-qTSJfUKIPrgtxoCe6oQAvD_BwE

Paumier, G., Ronan, P., NIH, Fijalkowski, A. J., Walker, J., Jones, D., Heal, T., & Ruiz, M. (2003). Biological and technological scales compared Biological and technological scales compared-en, CC BY-SA 2.5

 Science Primer (National Center for Biotechnology Information), Liquid_2003, Arne Nordmann & The Tango! Desktop Project.

ScienceDaily. (2008). Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies: new nanotechnology products hitting the market at the rate of 3-4 per week. ScienceDaily. Retrieved from sciencedaily.com/release/2008/04/080424102505.htm

ScientificAmerica.com. (2009). Are nanotech consumer products safe? Scientific American.  Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-nanotech-consumer-products-safe/

Vance, M. E., Kuiken, T., Vejerano, E. P., McGinnis, S. P., Hochella, M. F., Jr., Rejeski, D., & Hull, M. S. . (2015). Nanotechnology in the real world: redeveloping the nanomaterial consumer products inventory. Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 6, 1769-1780.