New-concept chemotherapy by nanoparticles of biodegradable polymers: where are we now?

No substantial progress has really been observed during the past 50 years in fighting cancer, and the way we currently detect and treat cancer is similar to 30 years ago. Cancer nanotechnology will change the situation radically. Progress in developing nanoparticles of biodegradable polymers for new-concept chemotherapy is reviewed here by using the in vitro and in vivo experimental results obtained in my laboratory as a proof-of-concept demonstration. The prospects of using multifunctional nanoparticles for targeting, diagnosing, therapy delivery and result-reporting as a possible solution for cancer detection and treatment are also described. I believe that cancer will become curable using targeted and sustained chemotherapy by such nanoparticles at the earliest stage of disease. High efficacy and low side effects can be achieved, since high drug concentrations can be delivered selectively to the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. Thus, the required amount of the drug can be minimized.