title: Carbon nanotubes: Properties, biomedical applications, advantages and risks in patients and occupationally-exposed workers.
abstract: Since the beginning of the 21st century, carbon-based nanomaterials (CNTs) have been introduced in pharmacy and medicine for drug delivery system in therapeutics. CNTs have proved able to transport a wide range of molecules across membranes and into living cells; therefore, they have attracted great interest in biomedical applications such as advanced imaging, tissue regeneration, and drug or gene delivery. Although there are many data on the advantages in terms of higher efficacy and less adverse effects, several recent findings have reported unexpected toxicities induced by CNTs. The dose, shape, surface chemistry, exposure route, and purity play important roles in these differential toxicities. Mapping these risks as well as understanding their molecular mechanisms is a crucial step in the development of any CNT-containing nanopharmaceuticals. This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive review of all articles published on cellular response to CNTs, underlining their therapeutic applications and possible toxicity in patients and occupationally exposed workers.
authors: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Hygiene, Occupational Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy monicalamberti@libero.it.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lamberti
authors: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Hygiene, Occupational Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Pedata
authors: Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Hygiene, Occupational Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Sannolo
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Porto
authors: Department of Odontology and Surgery, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: De Rosa
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Caraglia
mesh_terms: D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon
keywords: carbon nanomaterials; exposed workers; nanodrugs; nanotoxicology