Nanotechnology and its relationship to interventional radiology. Part II: Drug Delivery, Thermotherapy, and Vascular Intervention

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2011 Aug;34(4):676-90. doi: 10.1007/s00270-010-9967-y. Epub 2010 Sep 16.

Abstract

Nanotechnology can be defined as the design, creation, and manipulation of structures on the nanometer scale. This two-part review is intended to acquaint the interventionalist with the field of nanotechnology, and provide an overview of potential applications, while highlighting advances relevant to interventional radiology. Part 2 of the article concentrates on drug delivery, thermotherapy, and vascular intervention. In oncology, advances in drug delivery allow for improved efficacy, decreased toxicity, and greater potential for targeted therapy. Magnetic nanoparticles show potential for use in thermotherapy treatments of various tumours, and the effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation can be enhanced with nanoparticle chemotherapy agents. In vascular intervention, much work is focused on prevention of restenosis through developments in stent technology and systems for localised drug delivery to vessel walls. Further areas of interest include applications for thrombolysis and haemostasis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Catheter Ablation / methods
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Hemostatic Techniques
  • Humans
  • Hyperthermia, Induced / methods*
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Radiology, Interventional / methods*
  • Stents
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Diseases / therapy*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles