Potential applications and human biosafety of nanomaterials used in nanomedicine

J Appl Toxicol. 2018 Jan;38(1):3-24. doi: 10.1002/jat.3476. Epub 2017 Jun 6.

Abstract

With the rapid development of nanotechnology, potential applications of nanomaterials in medicine have been widely researched in recent years. Nanomaterials themselves can be used as image agents or therapeutic drugs, and for drug and gene delivery, biological devices, nanoelectronic biosensors or molecular nanotechnology. As the composition, morphology, chemical properties, implant sites as well as potential applications become more and more complex, human biosafety of nanomaterials for clinical use has become a major concern. If nanoparticles accumulate in the human body or interact with the body molecules or chemical components, health risks may also occur. Accordingly, the unique chemical and physical properties, potential applications in medical fields, as well as human biosafety in clinical trials are reviewed in this study. Finally, this article tries to give some suggestions for future work in nanomedicine research. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Keywords: clinical trials; human biosafety; nanomaterials; nanomedicine products; nanoparticles (NPs); physical and chemical properties; potential applications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques
  • Containment of Biohazards / standards*
  • Humans
  • Nanomedicine / standards*
  • Nanostructures* / adverse effects
  • Nanostructures* / chemistry
  • Nanostructures* / therapeutic use
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties