Therapeutic Nanoparticles in Clinics and Under Clinical Evaluation

Abstract

This article reviews nanoparticulate–chemotherapeutic systems that have been developed for human therapy, considering the components of the nanoparticles, the therapeutic agents associated with the nanoparticles and the clinical indications these therapeutic nanoparticles have been developed for. In this evaluation we have put into perspective the types of nanomaterials and their therapeutic indications. We have reviewed the nanoparticulate–chemotherapeutic systems that have been published, approved and marketed and that are currently in clinical use. We have also analyzed the nanoparticulate–chemotherapeutic systems that are in clinical trials and under preclinical development.

Keywords::

• chemotherapeutics
• clinical trials
• clinical use
• human therapy
• nanoparticles

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This research was supported in part by the project NanoImpactNet, European network on the health and environmental impact of nanomaterials. NanoImpactNet is a Coordination Action under the European Commission‘s 7th Framework Programme (NMP4-CA-2008-21853). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank D Staedler and F Tettamanti for their help with the statistical analysis. The authors especially thank F Ehmann on behalf of M Papaluca-Amati from the EMA, and T Cavaliero from Swissmedic and the Division of Drug Information of the US FDA for providing useful information concerning the respective agency positions on nanotechnology and identification systems.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported in part by the project NanoImpactNet, European network on the health and environmental impact of nanomaterials. NanoImpactNet is a Coordination Action under the European Commission‘s 7th Framework Programme (NMP4-CA-2008-21853). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.