title: Carbon nanotubes part II: a remarkable carrier for drug and gene delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have recently been studied as novel and versatile drug and gene delivery vehicles. When CNT are suitably functionalized, they can interact with various cell types and are taken up by endocytosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Anti-cancer drugs cisplatin and doxorubicin have been delivered by CNT, as well as methotrexate, taxol and gemcitabine. The delivery of the antifungal compound amphotericin B and the oral administration of erythropoietin have both been assisted using CNT. Frequently, targeting moieties such as folic acid, epidermal growth factor or various antibodies are attached to the CNT-drug nanovehicle. Different kinds of functionalization (e.g., polycations) have been used to allow CNT to act as gene delivery vectors. Plasmid DNA, small interfering RNA and micro-RNA have all been delivered by CNT vehicles. Significant concerns are raised about the nanotoxicology of the CNT and their potentially damaging effects on the environment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CNT-mediated drug delivery has been studied for over a decade, and both in vitro and in vivo studies have been reported. The future success of CNTs as vectors in vivo and in clinical application will depend on achievement of efficacious therapy with minimal adverse effects and avoidance of possible toxic and environmentally damaging effects.
authors.affiliation: Iran University of Medical Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Department of Nanotechnology , Tehran , Iran.
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.forename: Navid
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Solati
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghasemi
authors.forename: Mehrdad Asghari
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Estiar
authors.forename: Mahshid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashemkhani
authors.forename: Parnian
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kiani
authors.forename: Elmira
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: Ahad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saeidi
authors.forename: Mahdiar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taheri
authors.forename: Pinar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Avci
authors.forename: Amir R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Aref
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amiri
authors.forename: Fazel
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baniasadi
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Hamblin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006801:Humans; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D010957:Plasmids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering
keywords: biomolecule delivery; carbon nanotubes; drug delivery systems; gene delivery; toxicology