Abstract

Most of mortality worldwide occurs because of cancer diseases. Nanostructures are the new compounds that have become one of the most important technologies for using in different fields over the past two years especially in medicine. In between, nanotechnology has the potential to cancer detection and therapy. This study is a review of prospects in applications of nano-materials for cancer detection and treatment. We have summarized the nano-materials (metal nanospheres, nanorods, nanoshells and nanotubes) in medical applications targeting cancer. We also discuss advances in established nanoparticle technologies such as liposomes, polymer micelles, and functionalization about tumor targeting, controlled release and drug delivery. This paper will discuss the therapeutic applications of different nano-materials with a major focus on their applications for the treatment of cancer. Briefly, the toxicity of conventional nanostructures was also mentioned in this paper. © (2016) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.