Page - (000354) - in Biomedical Chemistry: Current Trends and Developments

2010). Imaging techniques, which are methods of producing images of the body, are an important element of early detection of cancer diseases (Shukla-Dave, 2014). Transformation procedures leading to malignancy can be detected by a matter of routine screening, non-invasive means, such as standard proteomic analysis of blood samples or in vivo imaging of molecular profiles (Bellisola, 2012). Some of the main challenges for nanomedicines are the development for the detection and monitoring of cancer markers in vivo, creation of technological platforms for early detection of cancer biomarkers ex vivo, and engineering of nanoparticles to prevent biophysical and biological barriers (Ferrari, 2005). In this chapter we focus on the current trends and developments of nanotechnology for cancer, highlighting some of the most advanced drug delivery nanosystems, targeting strategies, nanotools used for cancer imaging and diagnostics, as well as recent nanotechnological approaches used for cancer immunotherapy. 3.5.2 Drug Delivery Nanosystems in Cancer Therapy Cancer drug delivery is a demanding subject that requires deep and comprehensive research. Thus, this area of research has been under intensive investigation during the last few years. For example, problems associated with selective targeting, improved penetration through biological barriers and a controlled release of therapeutic cargos over time are details that influence the design of nanocarriers for drug delivery. Therefore, recently, sophisticated nanosystems have been developed in order to provide delivery of one or more therapeutic molecules in a controlled, selective and “smart” way to the desired cancer cells/tissues. 3.5.2.1 Controlled Drug Delivery Conventional systems for cancer therapy that are available in the market have limited and unspecific access to tumor sites, and thus, it is well- known that patients experience serious side effects when treated with