The prefix
nano derives from the Greek word for dwarf. One nanometer (nm) is
equal to one-billionth of a meter, or about the width of 6 carbon atoms or 10
water molecules.
A human hair is approximately 7000-nm wide. Atoms are smaller than 1 nm, whereas
many molecules including some proteins range between 1 nm and larger[1]. Most
accounts of the history and origins of nanotechnology begin with Richard
Feynman's historic 1959 lecture at the California Institute of Technology titled
There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom, in which he outlined the idea of
building objects from the bottom up.
This brilliant suggestion did not gain much
traction until the mid-1980s, when Eric Drexler published Engines of Creation in
1986, a popular treatment of the promises and potentials of nanotechnology.
Drexler envisioned a molecular nanotechnology discipline that would allow
manufactures
to fabricate products from the bottom up with precise molecular control[2].
The
National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) defines nanotechnology as research and
development at the atomic, molecular, or macromolecular levels in the sub-100 nm
range to create structures,
devices, and systems that have novel functional properties.
At this scale,
scientists can manipulate atoms to create stronger, lighter, and more efficient
materials with
tailored properties. Given the inherent nanoscale functions for the biological
components of living cells, it was inevitable that nanotechnology would be
applied to the life sciences. Such applications give rise to the term
nanobiotechnology.[3]
Nanobiotechnology is a recently coined term describing the convergence of the
two existing, however distant, worlds between engineering and molecular biology.
Engineers have been working for the past three decades on shrinking the
dimensions of fabricated structures to
enable faster and higher density electronic chips, which have reached feature
sizes as small as 20 nm.
In parallel, molecular biologists have been operating
for many years in the domain of molecular and cellular dimensions ranging from
nanometers to micrometers. It is believed that a combination of these
disciplines will result in a new class of multifunctional devices and systems
for biological and chemical analysis characterized by better sensitivity and
specificity and higher rates of recognition compared with current solutions[4].
Analyses of signaling pathways by nanobiotechnology techniques might provide new
insight into disease processes, thus identifying more efficient biomarkers and
understanding the mechanisms of action of drugs. Advances in the manipulation of
the nanomaterials permit the binding of different biomolecules, such as
bacteria, toxins, proteins, and nucleic acids[5]. Nanotechnology is relatively
new and although the full scope of contributions to these technological advances
in the field of human health care remains unexplored, recent advances suggest
that nanobiotechnology will have a profound impact on disease prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment.
Statement Of Problem
Nanotechnology is a very vast field which includes a range of technologies at
the nano scale, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, genomics, neuroscience,
robotics and information technologies. Nanotechnology is the latest
technological innovation in global debates on risk regulation and international
cooperation. Regulatory bodies have started dealing with the potential risks
posed by nanoparticles. Currently, specific provisions on nanomaterials have
been introduced for biocides, cosmetics, food additives, food labelling and
materials in contact with foodstuff. The statement that nanotechnologies do
inevitably imply ethical questions. The main problems are public trust,
potential risks, and issues of environmental impact, transparency of
information, responsible nanosciences and nanotechnologies research. The aim of
this article is to analysis the main problems regulating nanobiotechnology.
Review Of Literature
The strictly established time span for the beginning of nanotechnology
development is explained by the fact that nanotechnology has its backgrounds in
the distant past when people used it without knowledge of it (Tolochko). The
difference between these ancient examples of
nanotechnology and the current
situation is the ability to understand or at least embark on a path towards
understanding the .fundamental principles underlying nanotechnological behavior,
the ability to assess the current state of knowledge, and the ability to
systematically plan for the future based on that knowledge (USEPA, 2007).
The
word
nanotechnology was introduced for the first time by Norio Taniguchi at
the International Conference on Industrial Production in Tokyo in 1974 in order
to describe the super thin processing of materials with nanometer accuracy and
the creation of nano-sized mechanisms. Ideas of nanotechnological strategy,
which were put forward by Richard Feynman (known as
Father of Nanotechnology)
in his lecture delivered in 1959 at the session of the American Physical
Society, were developed by Eric Drexler in 1986.
Nanotechnology and nanoscience
got a boost in the early 1980s with two major developments: the birth of cluster
science and the invention of the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) in 1981.
These developments led to the discovery of Fullerenes in 1985 and the structural
assignment of Carbon Nanotubes in 1991.
A confluence of nanotechnology and biology can address several biomedical
problems, and can revolutionize the field of health and medicine (Curtis and
Wilkinson, 2001). Nanotechnology is currently employed as a tool to explore the
darkest avenues of medical sciences in several ways like imaging (Waren and Nie,
1998) sensing (Vaseashta and Malinovska, 2005), targeted drug delivery (Langer,
2001) and gene delivery systems (Roy et al., 1999) and artificial implants (Sachlos
et al., 2006).
Hence, nanosized organic and inorganic particles are finding
increasing attention in medical applications (Xu et al., 2006) due to their
amenability to biological functionalization. Based on enhanced effectiveness,
the new age drugs are nanoparticles of polymers, metals or ceramics, which can
combat conditions like cancer (Farokhzad et al., 2006) and fight human pathogens
like bacteria (Stoimenov et al., 2002; Sondi and Sondi, 2004; Panacek et al.,
2006; Morones et al., 2005; Baker et al., 2005).
Many nanoparticles like silver are useful as therapeutics due to their
antimicrobial properties. Polyisohexylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles, poly(lactic-co-glycolic
acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, Gold nanoparticles, Chitosan nanoparticles, Cetyl
alcohol/polysorbate nanoparticles, Lipid nanocapsules, P (4-vinylpyridine)
particles, Chitosan-alginate nanoparticles, Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3
hydroxyoctanoate) nanoparticles are some of the nanoparticles that can be
effectively used for therapeutics (Barraud et al., 2005; Cheng et al., 2010;
Chithrani et al., 2010; Hee-Dong et al., 2010; Koziara et al., 2004; Lamprecht
et al., 2006; Ozay et al., 2010; Parveen et al., 2010; Zhang et al., 2010).
Nanoparticles has also been modified for early detection of Alzheimer's disease
biomarkers in biological fluids as well as delivery of bioactive molecules
directly to brain.Although nanotechnology is expected to have a huge impact on
the development of smart drug delivery and devices against Alzheimer's
disease, a crucial gap still to be filled concerns the elucidation of its
etiology, for which a great deal of effort is required (Brambilla et al., 2011).
Research Objectives
- To understand nanotherapeutics with regard to its safety and efficacy.
- To align nanobiotechnology with public health under the current legal
system.
Research Question
- Can the safety and efficacy of complex follow-on nanotherapeutics ever
be assured?
- Can nanomedicine, as applied to public health, be solely regulated under
existing regulations and laws?
Research Methodology
The researcher mainly conducted a doctrinal research due to paucity of time and
resources.
Role Of Nanobiotechnology In Biological Therapies
Biological therapies mean the application of molecular biology in therapeutics.
Broadly speaking, biological therapies include vaccines, cell therapy, gene
therapy, antisense therapy and RNA interference. Some of these involve use of
nucleic acids and proteins, whereas others involve genetic manipulation.
Biological therapies, particularly their delivery, can be refined by use of
nanobiotechnology. Uses of nanobiotechnology-based biological therapies are
briefly described under various therapeutic areas.
- Nanomedicine
Nanobiotechnology has applications in practically every branch of medicine and
surgery. Some important therapeutic areas will be described briefly here and
detailed descriptions are given in the Handbook of Nanomedicine[6] . Although
nanomaterials have been available for a number of years and several structures
in molecular biology were measured on nanoscale, further research on the
systematic application of this knowledge to life sciences and particularly in
healthcare is being vigorously pursued in recent years.
This parallels advances
in other biotechnologies. Historically new technologies are slowly absorbed into
mainstream medical practice. Decision to use a new technology depends on the
clinical judgment of the physicians taking care of their patients. Many of the
new technologies are applied in challenging areas, where either no satisfactory
treatments are available or nanobiotechnology-based methods have been shown to
be more effective than the conventional approaches. Cancer is one area where
rapid advances have been made in the application of nanobiotechnology.
- Nanooncology
Application of nanotechnology in cancer can be termed nanooncology. This
includes both diagnostics and therapeutics. Two nanotechnology-based products
are already approved for the treatment of cancer Doxil (a liposome preparation
of doxorubicin) and Abraxane (paclitaxel in nanoparticle formulation).
Nanoparticles can deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to tumor cells and then
give off a signal after the cells are destroyed.
Efficient conversion of strongly absorbed light by plasmonic gold nanoparticles
to heat energy and their easy bioconjugation suggest their use as selective
photothermal agents in molecular cancer cell targeting[7]. Two oral squamous
carcinoma cell lines and one benign epithelial cell line were incubated with
antiepithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody conjugated gold
nanoparticles and then exposed to continuous visible argon ion laser at 514 nm.
Malignant cells required less than half the laser energy to be killed than the
benign cells after incubation with anti-EGFR antibody conjugated Au
nanoparticles. In the absence of nanoparticles, no photothermal destruction was
observed for all types of cells at four times the energy required to kill the
malignant cells bonded with anti-EGFR/Au conjugates. Au nanoparticles thus offer
a novel class of selective photothermal agents using a CW laser at low powers.
The ability of gold nanoparticles to detect cancer was demonstrated
previously. Now it will be possible to design an all-in-one active agent that can be used
to find cancer noninvasively and then destroy it. This selective technique has a
potential in molecularly targeted photothermal therapy in vivo.
- Nanoneurology
Nanobiotechnology will have an impact on improving our understanding of the
nervous system and developing new treatments, both medical and surgical, for
disorders of the nervous system[8] . Working with platinum nanowires and using
blood vessels as conduits to guide the wires, researchers have successfully
detected the activity of individual neurons lying adjacent to the blood
vessels[9]. Use of nonintrusive, biocompatible and biodegradable nanoprobes
improves our understanding of the brain at the neuron-to-neuron interaction
level.
Delivery of drugs to the central nervous system is a challenge and various
strategies based on nanobiotechnology are discussed elsewhere[10]. Most of these
are directed at overcoming the blood-brain barrier, which is a major hurdle in
drug delivery to the brain.
Nanobiotechnology can facilitate neuroprotection. Water-soluble derivatives of
buckminsterfullerene C60 derivatives are a unique class of nanoparticle
compounds with potent antioxidant properties. Robust neuroprotection against
excitotoxic, apoptotic and metabolic insults in cortical cell cultures has been
demonstrated by use of carboxyfullerenes. Ongoing studies in animal models of
neurodegenerative disorders suggest that these novel antioxidants are potential
neuroprotective agents.
One of the major challenges of treating neurological disorders, particularly
central nervous system damage resulting from trauma, is repair and regeneration.
At nanoscale, there is little difference between basic building blocks of
neuronal structures whether they are created artificially or occur in nature.
Nanoelectronics, by improving cell-to-cell communication, may enable the
creation of a bridge between severed nerves and muscles up to a meter away. This
opens up the possibilities of repairing severed spinal cords and rehabilitation
of stroke victims.
- Nanocardiology
Perfluorocarbon nanoparticles provide an opportunity for combining molecular
imaging and local drug delivery in cardiovascular disorders. The utility of
targeted perfluorocarbon nanoparticles has been demonstrated for a variety of
applications in animal models including and antiangiogenic treatment of
atherosclerotic plaque and the localization and delivery of antirestenotic
therapy following angioplasty[11].
Nanoscale particles can be synthetically
designed to potentially intervene in lipoprotein matrix retention and
lipoprotein uptake in cells processes central to atherosclerosis.
Nanoengineered molecules called nanolipoblockers can be used to attack
atherosclerotic plaques due to raised levels of lowdensity lipoproteins[12].
An
experimental study in rats using injectable self-assembling peptide nanofiber
bound to platelet-derived growth factor demonstrated sustained delivery to the
myocardium resulting in decreased cardiomyocyte death and preserved systolic
function after myocardial infarction[13]. In studies on rats, cell therapy with
insulin-like growth factor 1 delivery by biotinylated nanofibers improved
systolic function after experimental myocardial infarction[14]. This
nanobiotechnology approach has the potential to improve the results of cell
therapy for myocardial infarction, which is on clinical trials currently.
Nanobiotechnology may facilitate repair and replacement of blood vessels,
myocardium and myocardial valves. It may also be used to stimulate regenerative
processes such as therapeutic angiogenesis for ischemic heart disease.
- Nanoorthopedics
A new method of repairing bones using nanotechnology is based on bone scaffold
material (nano-HA/collagen/PLA composite) produced by biomimetic synthesis. The
scaffolds or 'nanobones' have been successfully implanted in patients in China
for repair of bone defects after fractures or tumor removal and also for spinal
fusion. Bone cells can grow and proliferate on a scaffold of carbon nanotubes,
because they are not biodegradable,and behave like an inert matrix on which
cells can proliferate and deposit new living material, which becomes functional,
normal bone[15].
Several methods are being developed to encourage the
regeneration of cartilage defects, particularly after knee injuries.
Nanotechnology and cell therapy are being used as refinements of procedures to
replace the torn knee cartilage. The fine structure of an electrospun poly (l-lactide)-
scaffold makes it an ideal material for tissue engineering, in particular for
cartilage repair. Implanted cells showed a clear preference for growth along the
nanofibers, which are both biocompatible and biodegradable[16].
Nanotechnology-based scaffolds are capable of promoting the growth of mesenchymal stem cells, and differentiate these cells into viable structural and
functional tissue for replacement of the medial meniscus of the knee.
- Role of Nanobiotechnology in the Treatment of Infections
Nanobiotechnology is used not only for the diagnosis of infections but as a
basis of microbicidal agents as well. Certain formulations of nanoscale powders
possess antimicrobial properties. These formulations are made of simple,
nontoxic metal oxides such as magnesium oxide (MgO) and calcium oxide (CaO,
lime) in nanocrystalline form, carrying active forms of halogens, e.g. MgO _ Cl
2 and MgO _ Br 2 .
When these ultrafine powders contact vegetative cells
of Escherichia coli , Bacillus cereus , or Bacillus globigii , over 90% are
killed within a few minutes. A simple molecule synthesized from a hydrocarbon
and an ammonium compound can produce a unique nanotube structure with
antimicrobial capability[17]. The quaternary ammonium compound is known for its
ability to disrupt cell membranes and causes cell death whereas the hydrocarbon
diacetylene can change colors when appropriately formulated; the resulting
molecule would have the desired properties of both a biosensor and a biocide.
Silver nanoparticles have been incorporated in preparations for wound care to
prevent infection. Acticoat bandages (Smith & Nephew) contain nanocrystal
silver, which is highly toxic to pathogens in wounds. Nanoviricides, which are
nanomedicines that destroy viruses, are in development. A nanoviricide is an
agent that recognizes a specific virus particle, binds to it at multiple points,
neutralizes and then dismantles it. Targets for this approach include
influenzas, HIV, hepatitis C and rabies.
- Nanoophthalmology
Approximately 90% of all ophthalmic drug formulations are applied as eye drops.
While eye drops are convenient, about 95% of the drug contained in the drops is
lost through tear drainage, a mechanism for protecting the eye against exposure
to noxious substances. Moreover, the very tight epithelium of the cornea
compromises the permeation of drug molecules. Nanocarriers, such as
nanoparticles, liposomes and dendrimers, are used to enhance ocular drug
delivery[18].
Easily administered as eye drops, these systems provide a
prolonged residence time at the ocular surface after instillation, thus avoiding
the clearance mechanisms of the eye. In combination with a controlled drug
delivery, it should be possible to develop ocular formulations that provide
therapeutic concentrations for a long period of time at the site of action,
thereby reducing the dose administered as well as the instillation frequency. In
intraocular drug delivery, the same systems can be used to protect and release
the drug in a controlled way, reducing the number of injections required.
Another potential advantage is the targeting of the drug to the site of action,
leading to a decrease in the dose required and a decrease in side effects.
Nanoparticles have also been investigated to provide controlled drug release,
protect the drug against enzymatic degradation and to direct the drug to the
site of action in the eye. Subconjunctivally administered 200-nm and larger
polylactide nanoparticles can be almost completely retained at the site of
injection. Poly(lactic acidglycolic acid nanospheres encapsulating pigment
epithelium- derived factor have been shown to have neuroprotective effects in
experimentally induced retinal ischemic injury[19].
The Rationale Behind The Use Of Nanomedicines
Nanoparticles have tremendous potential to increase the bioavailability of the
drug by improving its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile[20]. Their
high surface-to-volume ratio attracts the researchers to do several surface
modifications like PEGylation, ligand binding, etc. for better drug targeting.
Nanoparticles can be administered parentally conveying better drug circulation,
drug protection, and a sustained release[21].
These can also be applied
topically, but there may be a chance for dose dumping which can lead to drug
toxicity. Active drug targeting, can be achieved by employing ligands such as
peptides, antibodies, etc., to the surface of the nanoparticles which upon
systemic circulation reach the active site where the ligand will bind to the
receptor and engulf the nanoparticle loaded with the drug through endocytosis.[22]
Safety Issues Of Nanomedicine
The first generation of nanomedicines were approved more than a decade ago
before a real awareness existed about a number of issues related to safety
concerns of nanomaterials. These products have been used for the treatment of
cancer without any toxicity of nanoparticles. However, nanomaterials such as
phospholipids or biodegradable polymers, are of a completely different nature
from other anticipated materials that will be produced in the near future from
the research pipeline.
Although in vitro use of nanoparticles in diagnostics
does not pose any risk, concern has been expressed about the introduction of
nanoparticles into the human body for therapeutic purposes and possible toxic
effects. The small size of particles, particularly those below 50 nm, makes them
versatile therapeutic tools for drug delivery and treatment of cancer but they
may have undesirable effects. This topic is discussed in more detail elsewhere
with review of studies on the toxic potential of nanoparticles [23].
The biological effects of various nanoparticles vary according to size, chemical
composition, surface structure, solubility, shape, and aggregation. QDs may
release potentiallytoxic cadmium and zinc ions into cells. However, because of
their protective coating, QDs have minimal impact on cells. Studies using 2-nm
core gold nanoparticles have shown that cationic particles are moderately toxic,
whereas anionic particles are quite nontoxic[24].
A study has shown that
naturally occurring gum arabic can be used as a nontoxic phytochemical excipient
in the production of readily administrable biocompatible gold nanoparticles for
diagnostic and therapeutic applications in nanomedicine[25]. Because several
nanoparticle formulations are designed for systemic administration, the
compatibility of these with blood and blood cells can be tested with a
particular focus on hemolytic activity, platelet function, and blood
coagulation[26]. This is no different from the requirements for testing of
nonnanoparticulate formulations for systemic administration.
Nanomaterials are likely to receive closer attention from regulatory bodies for
toxicological potential in a number of different applications. It has been
suggested that existing nanopharmaceuticals, when administered for the same or
new therapeutic indications making use of different administration routes (e.g.
pulmonary), should not receive waiver of a full assessment of their potential
toxicology[27].
Impact of Nanomedicine on Public Health
Nanomedicine significantly affects various aspects of public health like
promotes general health, improves quality of life, increases lifespan, prevents
and treats disease conditions and can cure life-threatening disorders. It can
also imply for community-based or social health issues including vaccination,
infection control, civic sanitization, environmental infection control, early
detection and prevention of infectious disease[28].
The association of school of
public health categorized public health into five different core areas including:
- epidemiology,
- biostatistics,
- health policy management,
- community and social behavior and lastly
- environmental health science.
Epidemiology is
concerned with the elements and social distribution of disease while
biostatistics deals with the quantitative analysis of factors, frequency, and
distribution of disease in society. Subsequently, health policy management
prepares guidelines and laws on the basis of a community survey to maintain the
health of society and improve community health. Environmental health is based on
the effect of the social and physical atmosphere on public health and vice
versa.
Technological advancements in the medical field always significantly
affect public health. The development and implementation of vaccines is the most
popular example of advanced medication, which is continuously modified according
to the need, and response of the society[29].
Similarly, now nanomedicines
represent an emerging technology, which has the potential to treat untreated
chronic disorders like neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular
diseases as well as improve the potency of various drugs. Due to the benefits
over conventional therapies such as effective targeting, high performance,
prolonged action, and reduced side effects, FDA approved various nanomedicines
for the treatment of cancer. Numerous research efforts utilize nanotechnology to
improve community health[30].
Existing And Emerging Regulation For Nanomedicine In India
As discussed earlier, nanomedicine is an application of nanotechnology in the
field of healthcare and, therefore, inevitably shares overlapping issues with
nanotechnology.
Thus, a regulatory framework for nanotechnology in many instances can provide
useful insights to address governance challenges presented by nanomedicine.
Notably,
nanomedicine is delineable from the other fields of nanotechnology on the basis
of intentional human exposure, as it is meant for diagnosis, prevention and
treatment of diseases. Keeping this in view, the authors in the present section
have critically assessed the initiatives and studies on regulation of
nanotechnology and nanomedicine that may influence the governance of
nanomedicine in India.
Currently, India does not have any nanospecific regulation in place[31]. Lately,
initiatives for regulation of nanotechnology in India have been taken up. The
Department
of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, created a working group
for regulation of nanotechnology[32]. Nanomission, a program of DST, announced
establishment of a National Regulatory Authority Framework Roadmap for
Nanotechnology[33].
Nanomission has also framed draft guidelines and best
practices for safe handling of nanomaterials[34]. The Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR) initiated a project Nano- SHE that is Nanomaterials:
Application and Impact on Safety, Health and Environment for toxicological
evaluation of nano structured materials[35].
The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DOP),
Government of India, in the year 2006 had assigned the task of framing
regulations for nanomedicine to the National Institute of Pharmaceutical
Education and Research (NIPER) Mohali, which was later given to NIPER Kolkata in
the year 2012. A national center for pharmaceutical nanotechnology has been
proposed by DOP to be instituted at NIPER Kolkata that will be responsible for
nanotoxicology assessment and regulation of nanodrugs and devices[36].
Notably, nanotechnology poses complex challenges that also need immediate
attention due to potential commercialization of products. Most researchers have
emphasized the need for a regulatory body responsible for governing development
and commercialization of
nanotechnology products[37].
The studies discussed above emphasize the need for risk assessment and
generation of data but fail to provide solutions for effective enforcement to
enhance growth of nanomedicine in India. The regulatory framework that may be
suitable for India is debatable[38]. As nanomedicine is evolving and it is too
early to comment on the possible amendments, we propose a regulatory framework
to govern nanomedicine from different angles.
The authors propose establishment
of a separate national regulatory authority independent of any funding agency
that can have separate divisions for each thematic area. Further, for
state-level implementation, state regulatory authorities can coordinate and
report to the national regulatory authority. The authors elucidate a multi-tier
regulatory framework considering India as a case study. The next section
discusses the governance framework proposed for regulation of nanomedicine in
India and its components. The presented framework intends to promote an
efficient ecosystem for nanomedicine innovation and policy development.
Multi-level governance framework for India
A multi-level national governance system to regulate nanomedicine at the level
of research, premarket and post market that involves regulatory space, policy
regime, site of governance and lifecycle can be proposed. The framework will aim
to (i) promote responsible research and innovation, (ii) enhance public and
social acceptability of the products as well as research and (iii) ensure safety
of human beings and environment.
Nanotoxicology
Because of their small size, a large proportion of the atoms that make up a
nanoparticle are exposed to the exterior of the particle and would be free to
participate in many chemical process[39]. Although the benefits of
nanotechnology are widely publicized, discussion of the potential effects of
their widespread use in consumer and industrial products is just beginning[40].
Concerns over safety issues are heightened by the fact that the nanotechnology
workforce is growing rapidly, projected to reach 2 million workers by 2015.
Both pioneers of nanotechnology and its opponents are finding it extremely hard
to argue their case
because of the limited information available to support one side or the other.
Although some concerns may be ill-founded, it remains true that the toxicology
of many nanomaterials has notcyet been fully evaluated.
Because of the huge diversity of materials used and the wide range in sizes of
nanoparticles, these effects will vary a lot. It is conceivable that particular
sizes of some materials might turn out to have toxic effects and further
investigations will be needed[41].
Future Perspectives On Nanomedicine Translation And Commercialization And
Recommendations
The application of nanomedicines in healthcare is changing current diagnosis and
therapy concepts. Despite their therapeutic significance, only a few products
have reached the market. A comprehensive preclinical assessment of nanomedicines
includes physicochemical characterization, efficacy, pharmacology, and
toxicology evaluations.
In summary:
- the challenges in physicochemical characterization include the
unavailability of appropriate and sensitive methods;
- the challenges in determining the efficacy include selection of the
appropriate models, drug encapsulation and release, stability, and
evaluation of biological activity;
- the challenges in pharmacology and toxicology evaluations are related to
the drug bio distribution, availability of relevant animal models,
determining the mechanisms of toxicity and the in-vitro-in-vivo correlation
between toxicity assays
Other technical challenges
include sterilization and endotoxin removal of nanomedicines. Thus, a
better understanding of crucial physicochemical characteristics, in vivo
behaviour as well as the in-vitro-in-vivo characterization cascade of safety and
efficacy testing is needed to accelerate nanomedicine translation[42].
The development of nanomedicines requires that the product quality must satisfy
manufacturing, industry, the patient or customer and the regulatory demands. In
this regard, the implementation of a robust quality control system is the key to
ensuring successful manufacturing and quality of nanomedicines[43].
Identification of the product critical quality attributes [CQAs] helps in
determining whether a batch meets or fails the standard requirements.
Thus,
identifying the essential process conditions is crucial to attain key attributes
of a product. Incorporating a quality-by-design (QbD) approach in product
development can contribute to gaining thorough product and process knowledge and
enabling cost-effective manufacturing. The QbD concept is strongly recommended
by regulatory agencies to ensure a high-quality product.
In the QbD approach,
the formulation and process are designed to consistently deliver a product that
meets the CQAs necessary for clinical performance. This necessitates the
understanding of the influence of raw materials and process parameters on the
product quality. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, QbD identifies CQAs and
investigates the effects of factors based on scientific design and risk
assessment.
In addition, QbD helps construct a comprehensive understanding of relations
between manufacturing conditions and final product characteristics to facilitate
the scale-up of the nano manufacturing process. Although promising, more
systemic studies employing the QbD concept need to be conducted. Training
programs are needed for the scientists for a better understanding of the QbD
terminologies such as design space, CQAs, among others, and application
software.
Nanomedicine manufacturing and its characteristics are difficult to predict or
measure because the formulation processes are sensitive to raw material
attributes and any subtle changes in the processing conditions. Hence, the
development of process analytical technology (PAT) is encouraging to monitor the
product quality[44].
The FDA has encouraged the use of PAT to obtain process data
in real-time and build quality assurance into the manufacturing process. PAT
techniques can provide valuable insight and understanding for process scaleup/optimization
and help accommodate the inherent process variability and improve control. PAT
provides information of CQAs with the goal of improving the final product
quality as well as reducing the manufacturing cost[45].
In summary, the strategies that could significantly enhance the therapeutic
efficacy of nanomedicine products can include:
- Defining key physicochemical parameters influencing the drug efficacy
and safety.
- Understanding robust characterization methods.
- Application of QbD, PAT and microfluidics approaches in the
manufacturing, scale up and evaluation.
- Development of adequate in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models.
- Understanding product interactions with the biological environment.
- Development of validated stability, safety and efficacy assays.
- Development of specific regulatory guidelines for manufacturing and
characterization
- Focus on selecting the right patients and patient preselection
criteria to develop strategies on patient-focused product design
- Identifying a suitable biomarker profile that is predictive of
therapeutic outcomes.
- Employing clinically applicable imaging techniques that can be
correlated to the fate of the drug and delivery system in vivo.
- Clinical trials focused on well-defined outcomes and under-standing
disease and patient-specific pathophysiology
Overall, to bridge the gap of nanomedicine's lab research to industrial
development, effective collaboration among academics, scientists, industry,
regulatory agencies, consortia, investors, and clinicians is required to develop
comprehensive approaches to ensure reproducibility and precise control for an
effective, safe and cost-effective nanomedicine product.
Conclusion
Nanotechnology is a global business enterprise impacting universities, industry,
and regulation agents. Nanobiotechnology is still at its early stages of
expansion; however, the development is multi-directional and fast-paced.
Nanobiotechnology will provide opportunities for developing new materials and
methods that will enhance our ability to develop faster, more reliable and more
sensitive analytical systems.
Although there are many exciting potential
biological applications of nanomaterials, one needs to discern genuine
scientific promises from hype and to constantly improve the fundamental
understanding of the interactions of nanomaterials with intracellular
structures, the process, and the environment.
End-Notes:
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- K. J. Morrow, Jr, R. Bawa, and C. Wei, Med. Clin. North Am. 91, 805
(2007).
- K. K. Jain, Drug Discov. Today 10, 1435 (2005).
- C. M. Niemeyer and C. A. Mirkin, Nanobiotechnology: Concepts,
Applications and Perspectives, Wiley, New York (2004).
- C. Crean, E. Lahiff, N. Gilmartin, D. Diamond, and R. O'Kennedy, Synthetic
Metals 3, 285 (2011).
- Jain KK: Handbook of Nanomedicine. Totowa, Humana/Springer, 2008.
- El-Sayed IH, Huang X, El-Sayed M: Selective laser photo-thermal therapy
of epithelial carcinoma using anti EGFR antibody conjugated gold
nanoparticles. Cancer Lett 2006; 239: 129-135.
- Jain KK: Role of nanotechnology in developing new therapies for diseases
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