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Drug Discovery and Evaluation: Methods in Clinical Pharmacology pp 1–14Cite as

Nanotechnology in Medicine

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Abstract

Nanotechnology deals with materials and interactions at molecular and atomic level, sized between 0.1 and 100 nm. The small size of the nanoparticles and the changes of their physical and chemical properties compared to that of their macromolecular analogues offer many advantages for contemporary medicine, including improved drug delivery, opportunities for a better and noninvasive diagnostics, and targeted treatment with reduced adverse and systemic effects. Nonetheless, the same differences in the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles could lead to serious and unpredictable side effects for the human body and for the global ecosystem, including accumulation, recirculation, and inflammatory, mutagenic, and oncogenic potential. The current review is focused on the current uses, benefits, disadvantages, and risks of nanotechnology in medicine.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Hospital Alexandrovska, Clinic of Nephrology, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria

    M. Nikolova

  2. Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK

    R. Slavchov

  3. University Hospital Acad I. Penchev, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria

    G. Nikolova

Authors
  1. M. Nikolova
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  2. R. Slavchov
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  3. G. Nikolova
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Nikolova .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. CorDynamics , Dieburg, Germany

    Franz J. Hock

  2. CorDynamics , Chicago, IL, USA

    Michael R. Gralinski

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Nikolova, M., Slavchov, R., Nikolova, G. (2019). Nanotechnology in Medicine. In: Hock, F., Gralinski, M. (eds) Drug Discovery and Evaluation: Methods in Clinical Pharmacology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56637-5_45-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56637-5_45-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-56637-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-56637-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

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