Carbon Nanostructures in Localized Controlled Drug Delivery Systems (LCDDSs)

Nanotechnology has possible potential for developing future clinical applications. Nanoparticles may be used for biological and medical purposes due to their opportunities for multi-modal systems. Moreover, carbon nanostructures have received considerable attention in biomedicine. As an example, carbon nanomaterials have been extensively used to deliver therapeutic molecules in multi-functional controlled release systems. Carbon nanostructures may be used as nanocarriers, owing to their large surface area, privileged cumulation in tumors and excellent internalization in cancer cells. Carbon nanostructures may be used to deliver therapeutic agents preferentially to cancer tissues, to decrease side effects and cytotoxicity of drugs. However, the intrinsic cellular toxicity of carbon nanostructures remains a challenge. This chapter represents different characteristics of carbon nanostructures, resulting in their various applications in localized controlled drug delivery systems. Recent progress in methods and techniques for biofunctionalization, delivering and targeting by carbon nanostructures are presented and discussed.