Table of Contents
Are carbon nanotubes carcinogenic?
Abstract. In 2014, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified the first type of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as possibly carcinogenic to humans, while in the case of other CNTs, it was not possible to ascertain their toxicity due to lack of evidence.
What happens if you inhale carbon nanotubes?
These studies have shown consistent adverse pulmonary effects, including lung inflammation, granuloma and fibrosis. The important findings of CNT pulmonary effects are described below. One of the first CNT toxicity studies was conducted by Lam et al.
How can carbon nanotubes be used to deliver anti cancer drugs?
If anticancer drugs are loaded into CNTs, they will be delivered into lymph system, where the drugs will be released to kill metastatic cancer cells.
Which structure of carbon nanotube is metallic?
For a given (n,m) nanotube, if n = m, the nanotube is metallic; if n − m is a multiple of 3 and n ≠ m, then the nanotube is quasi-metallic with a very small band gap, otherwise the nanotube is a moderate semiconductor. Thus, all armchair (n = m) nanotubes are metallic, and nanotubes (6,4), (9,1), etc.
What components contribute to the cytotoxicity of carbon nanotubes?
Several factors that contribute to the toxicity of CNTs include metal impurities, diameter, length, type of carbon nanotubes, surface functionalization, and existence of dispersant [36].
Can nanomaterials be toxic?
Cytotoxicity, cell membrane damage, and increased oxidative stress have been reported in various mammalian cell lines as the most common toxic effect of zinc-based nanomaterials.
Which allotrope of carbon is used for treating cancer?
In vivo cancer treatment with carbon nanotubes has been demonstrated in animal experiments by several different groups. Recently, graphene, another allotrope of carbon, has also shown promise in various biomedical applications.
Are carbon nanotubes fragile?
Carbon nanotubes have diameters as small as 1 nm and lengths up to several centimeters. Although, like buckyballs, carbon nanotubes are strong, they are not brittle. They can be bent, and when released, they will spring back to their original shape.
What are different types of carbon nano tubes?
In addition to the two different basic structures, there are three different possible types of carbon nanotubes. These three types of CNTs are armchair carbon nanotubes, zigzag carbon nanotubes, and chiral carbon nanotubes.
What are the possible health risks of nanotechnology?
Nanoparticles can get into the body through the skin, lungs and digestive system. This may help create ‘free radicals’ which can cause cell damage and damage to the DNA. There is also concern that once nanoparticles are in the bloodstream they will be able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Can carbon be used to treat cancer?
Through appropriate functionalization, CNTs have been used as nanocarriers to transport anticancer drugs, genes, and proteins for chemotherapy. They have also been used as mediators for photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) to directly destroy cancer cells.
Are carbon nanotubes a viable option for drug delivery?
Among them, carbon nanotubes emerged as valid candidates not only for drug delivery, but also as a valuable tool in cancer imaging and physical ablation. Nevertheless, deep investigations about carbon nanotubes’ potential bio-compatibility and cytotoxicity limits should be also critically addressed.
What is carbon nanotube (CNT)?
Carbon nanotube (CNT) can be described as carbon sheet (s) rolled up into a cylinder that is nanometers wide and nanometers to micrometers long.
Can carbon nanotubes be used in hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether photodynamic therapy?
The application of hyaluronic acid-derivatized carbon nanotubes in hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether-based photodynamic therapy for in vivo and in vitro cancer treatment. Int. J. Nanomed. 2013;8:2361. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S45407.
Can nanotubes kill cancer cells?
Photothermal Therapy of Cancer Using CNTs. CNTs are able to absorb light in the near infrared (NIR) region, resulting in heating of the nanotubes [55]. This unique property of CNTs has been exploited as a method to kill cancer cells via thermal effects [39, 56–68].