Cancer Nanotechnology

Researchers from around the world are actively integrating nanotechnology into the treatment of various diseases that influence human health. This book on Cancer Nanotechnology is at the forefront of nanotechnology efforts relevant for a disease in which finding cures has proved problematic through conventional methods. Nanotechnology (and this book) takes an innovative fresh look at the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Specifically, on the biological side, topics covered in this book include: bone cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, leukemia, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, chemotherapy, use of stem cells in cancer treatment, immunotherapy, new cancer biological markers, as well as many others. On the nanotechnology side, the following concepts are integrated into cancer treatment: synthesis of nanoparticles, fabrication of bulk nanomaterials, use of tools (such as scanning probe and atomic force microscopy) in cancer research, elucidation of nanoscale mechanisms of cellular functions relevant to cancer, nanoscale computational modeling, and many others. Only by taking a fresh look at the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer through novel approaches such as, perhaps, the use of nanotechnology, will we begin to unravel the elusive aspects of cancer. Clearly, as this book addresses, these are necessary steps in finding cures for which nanotechnology may provide the answer. In summary, this book contains 20 review chapters and provides such existing data and perspectives on how nanotechnology may be used for all aspects of cancer including its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.