Carbon Nanomaterials: Efficacy and Safety for Nanomedicine

Carbon nanomaterials, including fullerenes, carbon nanohorns, and carbon nanotubes, are increasingly being used in various fields owing to these materials’ unique, size-dependent functions and physicochemical properties. Recently, because of their high variability and stability, carbon nanomaterials...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yasuo Tsutsumi, Shin-ichi Tsunoda, Takuya Yamashita, Yasuo Yoshioka, Tomoaki Yoshikawa, Hiromi Nabeshi, Kohei Yamashita
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2012-02-01
Series:Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/5/2/350/
Description
Summary:Carbon nanomaterials, including fullerenes, carbon nanohorns, and carbon nanotubes, are increasingly being used in various fields owing to these materials’ unique, size-dependent functions and physicochemical properties. Recently, because of their high variability and stability, carbon nanomaterials have been explored as a novel tool for the delivery of therapeutic molecules including peptide and nucleic acid cancer drugs. However, insufficient information is available regarding the safety of carbon nanomaterials for human health, even though such information is vital for the development of safe and effective nanomedicine technologies. In this review, we discuss currently available information regarding the safety of carbon nanomaterials in nanomedicine applications, including information obtained from our own studies; and we discuss types of carbon nanomaterials that demonstrate particular promise for safe nanomedicine technologies.
ISSN:1996-1944