ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the possible approaches for use of carbon nanotubes (CNT) as drug delivery systems (DDS) and analyzes in more detail the few examples reported in the literature. Several DDS have been investigated, such as liposomes, dendrimers and smart polymers, iron and gold nanoparticles, fullerenes and nanohorns. In general, the covalent functionlisation of nanotubes is more robust and better controllable compared with procedures based on non-covalent methods, and it offers the possibility of introducing multiple functionalities. Poor or non-existent cellular uptake was observed for large proteins, presumably due to the large size of the cargo or to inefficient endocytosis of big conjugates. The advantage of the methodology lies in the ability of CNTs to provide protection and to control the release of loaded molecules, thus prolonging the effect of eventual drugs. Functionalised CNTs permit incorporating simultaneously several drugs, targeting agents and even metals able to induce hyperthermia and thus improve therapeutic activities.
