ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an update on nanotechnology approaches toward lung cancer using micellar nanoparticles. According to the American Cancer Society, lung tumors can be divided into three major subtypes: non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and lung carcinoid tumor. All lung tumors are usually asymptomatic in the early stages of the disease, which is responsible for their detection at an advanced stage and limits the therapeutic options available, leading to low survival and treatment success rates. Micellar nanocarriers arise as an auspicious option to overcome the biochemical barriers mentioned before, increasing treatment efficacy and reducing random toxicity. Polymeric micelles are small-size structures, with an optimum size between 10 and 100 nm, and usually composed of amphiphilic copolymers such as Pluronics. Solid lipid nanoparticles are spherical nanocarriers with a solid lipid inner core composed of a solid lipid phase and a surfactant.
