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.
Keywords: Carbon nanostructure, Cytotoxicity, Localized drug delivery, Multifunctionality, Nanotechnology , Therapeutic molecules.
