Advances in use of functionalized carbon nanotubes for drug design and discovery

Introduction: As a part of increasing interest in nanobiotechnology, nanoparticle-based drug discovery as well as development and drug delivery constitute an important area in nanomedicine, and it is also driven by search for new drugs by the pharmaceutical industry. Nanomaterials for pharmaceutical application include carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Areas covered: This article describes the properties of CNTs, both single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) and multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs) with relevance to drug discovery and development. Pharmacokinetics of CNTs as well as CNT-based drug delivery is discussed. The article also looks at how the scope for pharmaceutical applications of CNTs is broadened by conjugation with other molecules and presents the potential therapeutic applications. Finally, the toxicology of CNTs is considered with measures under investigation for reducing it. Literature on CNTs, from the past 5 years, was reviewed and selected publications relevant to drug discovery, development, and delivery were included in the bibliography. Expert opinion: Carbon nanotubes combine more properties relevant to drug development and delivery than any other nanomaterial. Although a tremendous amount of basic research has been done on CNTs during the past decade, little of this is nearing translation into human applications. No CNT-based medicine has reached clinical trials. Nevertheless, CNT conjugation with other molecules has extended the horizons for their potential therapeutic applications. The most promising of these is PEGylation, which extends the survival of CNTs in circulation. Potential future applications of CNTs include combination of diagnostics and therapeutic drug delivery as well as a component of multimodal therapies for tissue regeneration.