Perspectives and potential applications of nanomedicine in breast and prostate cancer

Nanomedicine is a branch of nanotechnology that includes the development of nanostructures and nanoanalytical systems for various medical applications. Among these applications, utilization of nanotechnology in oncology has captivated the attention of many research endeavors in recent years. The rapid development of nano‐oncology raises new possibilities in cancer diagnosis and treatment. It also holds great promise for realization of point‐of‐care, theranostics, and personalized medicine. In this article, we review advances in nano‐oncology, with an emphasis on breast and prostate cancer because these organs are amenable to the translation of nanomedicine from small animals to humans. As new drugs are developed, the incorporation of nanotechnology approaches into medicinal research becomes critical. Diverse aspects of nano‐oncology are discussed, including nanocarriers, targeting strategies, nanodevices, as well as nanomedical diagnostics, therapeutics, and safety. The review concludes by identifying some limitations and future perspectives of nano‐oncology in breast and prostate cancer management. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev