Association between passive smoking and dental caries status in children: A cross-sectional analytical study.

BACKGROUND: Several risk factors contribute to the development of dental caries in children, including sociodemographic, dietary, oral hygiene-related and other miscellaneous factors. Maternal smoking was highly associated with dental caries when compared to smoking by fathers or other household members. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries and their association with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) among 5- to 10-year-old students attending private and government schools. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among schoolchildren. Data was collected from the primary caregivers using a pre-tested form to assess the ETS exposure under 5 domains based on history: antenatal exposure; exposure during the index period; exposure in the school neighborhood; exposure in restaurants/roadside stalls; and exposure in bus stops/railway stations. Dental caries was assessed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines from 1997. The association was reported using prevalence ratios (PRs) (95% confidence interval (CI)). RESULTS: Data was obtained from 211 schoolchildren attending government (39.8%) and private schools (60.2%). The overall prevalence (95% CI) of dental caries was 49.3% (42.5-56.1%). Among all the risk factors evaluated in the study, exposure to ETS was associated with a significantly increased risk of dental caries. The adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) of ETS exposure varied with the mother's educational status and high sugar exposure, although this was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental caries among schoolchildren aged 5 to 10 years in the city was moderate and similar to the national average. Among the risk factors assessed in the study, antenatal exposure to ETS was found to significantly increase the prevalence of dental caries by 41% after adjusting for other factors. Therefore, it is important to educate parents on the causal role of ETS exposure in dental caries.

Accuracy of different dental age assessment methods to determine chronological age among children with special needs.

AIM: This study aimed to validate the accuracy of dental age (DA) based on the dental development of permanent teeth in children with special needs using Demirjian, Willems, and London Atlas methods and to correlate the dental and chronological age (CA) of children with special needs in Malaysia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The panoramic radiographic images belonging to children with special needs from the two teaching dental hospitals in Malaysia aged between 5 and 16 years were included in the study. The evaluation was performed by two observers using three methods (London Atlas, Demirjian, and Willems methods) to estimate the accurate DA. The outcome was determined by comparing the mean of the DA and CA. RESULTS: A total of 52 panoramic radiographs were available for the analysis. The London Atlas and Demirjian methods overestimated the DA with a mean of 0.05 and 0.20 years, respectively, while the Willems method underestimated by 0.19 years. The London Atlas method was highly precise and accurate, while Demirjian and Willems methods were the least precise and accurate. CONCLUSION: The London Atlas method of DA estimation is highly accurate and valid for children with special needs in the Malaysian population, followed by the Willems and Demirjian methods.

Awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect: A Prospective Interventional Study among Schoolteachers from Andhra Pradesh.

AIM: To assess the awareness of schoolteachers from Andhra Pradesh towards child abuse and neglect (CAN) through pre- and post-educational intervention (audiovisual aid) questionnaires. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 300 schoolteachers using a 12-item questionnaire that was created using the standard focus group discussion method. Baseline awareness of CAN was assessed using the questionnaire. Subsequently, all the schoolteachers were educated regarding the various types of CAN and the process of reporting CAN using an audiovisual aid. The same questionnaire was re-administered to all the teachers immediately after the intervention and after three months. The data were statistically analyzed using Fisher's exact test to compare the frequency and distribution of responses among the study participants at various intervals. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (p value < 0.05) was observed in the awareness of the schoolteachers regarding CAN compared to the baseline and immediately after the intervention. However, there was no statistically significant difference (p value > 0.05) between immediately after the intervention and three months. CONCLUSION: There is a need to have awareness among schoolteachers concerning CAN. However, after education through audiovisual aids, teachers' awareness of CAN has been improved.

Dental Anomalies in Primary Dentition among Arabian Children: A Hospital-Based Study.

An observational study was carried out in a teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia to determine the occurrence of dental anomalies among Arabian children. The study included children of Saudi nationality with primary teeth. The study assessed the prevalence of dental anomalies in their primary dentition. The assessment and data collection were conducted by a single examiner, utilizing clinical examination and intra-oral radiographs. A comparative analysis was conducted to examine dental anomalies in relation to gender (boys and girls) and arch type (maxillary and mandibular). In addition, the study explored the occurrence of gender-specific dental anomalies depending on arch type. The data analysis was conducted using IBM Statistics (version 21.0) with a significance level of p < 0.05. In total, there were 245 children included in the final analysis. The study population consisted of boys (66%) and girls (34%), with an average age of 4.87 ± 0.9 years. Taurodontism was the most prevalent dental abnormality, occurring in 2.8% of the individuals in the study sample. The study sample exhibited hypodontia in 2%, supernumerary teeth in 2.4%, double teeth in 2%, and microdontia in 1.2%. Talon cusp and macrodontia have a relatively low incidence of 0.4%. Boys exhibit supernumerary teeth, microdontia, macrodontia, talon cusp, and taurodontism, whereas hypodontia and double teeth were more frequent in girls.

Effect of Maxillary Expansion on the Maxillary Arch Width in Patients with Bilateral Cleft Palate: A Review.

OBJECTIVES: To perform a comprehensive review of the literature to compare the effects of slow maxillary expansion (SME) and rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on maxillary arch width in patients with bilateral cleft palate. METHODS: The databases include Medline, PubMed, Cochrane (CENTRAL) and (CDSR), OpenGrey, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for relevant studies that met the eligibility criteria published before or on 31 October 2022. The search was confined to the English language. The selection of eligible studies and collection of data were performed independently. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0. RESULTS: Two randomized controlled trials were available based on the search in the published literature. Both studies compared arch width between SME and RME in cleft palate patients and digitals casts and three-dimensional images used for the evaluation. A moderate risk of bias was evident in the available studies. CONCLUSIONS: Both SME and RME can achieve similar amounts of maxillary expansion in patients with bilateral cleft palate.

Silver Nanoparticles in Dental Applications: A Descriptive Review.

Silver nanoparticles have been a recent focus of many researchers in dentistry, and their potential uses and benefits have drawn attention in dentistry and medicine. The fabrication and utilization of nanoscale substances and structures are at the core of the rapidly developing areas of nanotechnology. They are often used in the dental industry because they prevent bacteria from making nanoparticles, oxides, and biofilms. They also stop the metabolism of bacteria. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are a type of zero-dimensional material with different shapes. Dentistry has to keep up with changing patient needs and new technology. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be used in dentistry for disinfection and preventing infections in the oral cavity. One of the most interesting metallic nanoparticles used in biomedical applications is silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The dental field has found promising uses for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the elimination of plaque and tartar, as well as the elimination of bacterial and fungal infections in the mouth. The incorporation of AgNPs into dental materials has been shown to significantly enhance patients' oral health, leading to their widespread use. This review focuses on AgNP synthesis, chemical properties, biocompatibility, uses in various dental fields, and biomaterials used in dentistry. With an emphasis on aspects related to the inclusion of silver nanoparticles, this descriptive review paper also intends to address the recent developments of AgNPs in dentistry.

Influence of Tooth Brushing and Previous Dental Visits on Dental Caries Status among Saudi Arabian Children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dental caries status and its association with tooth brushing frequency and previous dental visits among Arabian children. METHODS: Arabian school children attend a specialty pediatric dental clinic at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. Only children of Saudi origin with primary dentition were included in the study, and only one examiner was involved in the assessment and data collection. The parents of children completed a questionnaire to investigate possible explanatory variables for caries status, including tooth brushing frequency and previous dental visits. Dental caries were diagnosed according to the criteria recommended by the World Health Organization (2013). The comparison performed was based on sex, age, tooth brushing frequency, and previous dental visits. The descriptive statistics were carried out using SPSS (version 21.0) with a p-value of <0.05 significance. RESULTS: The study involved 268 Saudi children with a mean age of 4.6 ± 1.1 years. The caries prevalence was 78.8%, and the mean dmft was 5.82 ± 4.48, while the overall mean scores for decayed, missing, and filled were 3.903 ± 3.69, 1.18 ± 1.69, and 0.73 ± 1.35, respectively. The mean dmft scores for the <3 years, 3.1-6 years, and >6 years old children were found to be 1.74, 6.58, and 4.58, respectively. Among the children, the females reported higher dmf scores (7.51 ± 4.18) compared to males (4.97 ± 4.39) with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Fifty percent of the children had tooth brushing habits of once daily, followed by never (22.4%), twice daily (15.7%), and rarely (11.2%) brushed their teeth. Statistically significant correlations were found between the children's dental caries status, age, and dental visits, while sex and tooth brushing did not find a correlation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental caries among Arabian preschool children was higher. Mandibular second molars were commonly affected by dental caries, while mandibular central incisors were less frequently affected. The child's age and frequency of dental checkups were positively related to the prevalence of dental caries.

Prevalence of gingival recession and associated etiological factors among the school children.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of gingival recession (GR) and associated etiological factors among school children. Methodology: The study sample consisted of 2095 children from the Nellore region divided into three groups of age ranges from primary dentition (<7 years), mixed dentition (7-12 years), and permanent dentition (>12 years) respectively, attending the department of pediatric and preventive dentistry and the school dental health programs organized by the department. The clinical examination involved measuring GR using William's periodontal probe and evaluating associated etiological factors. Data were statistically analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: The GR among the study population was 7.9% (n = 165). Among them, males were 46% and females were 54% (P > 0.05). The GR was more in children in the 7-12 years age group (75%), followed by <7 years (21%) and >12 years (4%) age groups. The associated factors include malocclusion (69%), deleterious habits (5%), and anomalies (26%). Anomalies showed an association with GR (P < 0.05) compared to malocclusion and deleteriousness habits (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of GR is 7.9%, and GR is more prevalent in males and the 7-12 years age group. GR is associated with transient malocclusion, deleterious habits, and anomalies.

Modern modified aerosol box: Isolation aid for oral health care professionals during dental procedures.

COVID-19 affected healthcare professionals globally, especially dentists, which is airborne and transmitted through contact. Most dental procedures are aerosol generated and these aerosols in dental practice tend to transmit acute respiratory infections like COVID-19. Recently, a few authors recommended using the aerosol box to reduce the aerosol count in a dental setting. However, the study aims to describe and recommend a reformed aerosol box desand to practice safe dentistry.

Risk Prediction of Maxillary Canine Impaction among 9-10-Year-Old Malaysian Children: A Radiographic Study.

Background: Early diagnosis and interceptive treatment of the maxillary canine impaction is crucial as it reduces treatment complexity and decreases complications and adverse outcomes. Aim and Objectives. To determine the mean maxillary canine position among 9-10-year-old children and predict the risk of impaction of the maxillary canines. Methodology. Panoramic radiographs (PANs) of 289 healthy children aged between 9 and 10 years were observed where the average position of maxillary canines was related to the lateral incisor, sector locations, and angulations to the bicondylar line were traced. The average position was obtained by using descriptive statistics. One sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test is done to predict the risk of canine impaction by comparing the data obtained to the average position from prior studies. Results: A total of 289 PANs (126 males and 163 females) were utilized for the analysis. The findings showed that the average position of the maxillary canines in our population was statistically different from the average position of nonimpacted canines in previous studies. However, on average, more than 85% of canines in our population were still located within the safe range of satisfactory position, with females showing slight predominance outside of the acceptable range. The mean scores of the angles between the right canine and lateral incisor were significantly higher among females than males (p = 0.001). Similarly, females had a significantly higher mean angle of the left canine than males (p < 0.001). In regard to the angles between the bicondylar line and permanent maxillary canine, the mean scores were not significantly different (p > 0.05) on both the left and right side. Conclusion: There is a low risk of impaction of maxillary canines in the Malaysian population. However, more retrospective studies using more radiographic and clinical indicators need to be done to confirm the risk of impaction further.

Corrigendum: Comparative Evaluation of Stress Acting on Abutment, Bone, and Connector of Different Designs of Acid-Etched Resin-Bonded Fixed Partial Dentures: Finite Element Analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.798988.].

Infraocclusion: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Associated Dental Anomalies in Arabian Children.

Aim: To analyze the distribution and characteristics of infraocclusion among Arabian children in primary dentition and its associated dental anomalies. Methods: A radiographic analysis was performed retrospectively using digital panoramic radiographs of children attending the pediatric dental clinic of College of Dentistry, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia, from January 2019 to May 2021. The panoramic radiographs were analyzed to assess the distribution and characteristics of infraocclusion and its associated dental anomalies. Descriptive statistics were used for comparisons using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA). The chi-square test was used to compare percentages. Results: Among the study population (542), only 40 children reported infraocclusion of 65 primary molars. Infraocclusion was common in males (90%) and very frequent in the mandibular arch (n = 48 teeth). In the primary dentition, unilateral infraocclusion (62.5%) was very frequent than bilateral presence (37.5%). Single molars were involved in 50% of the patients, while two, three, and four molars were involved in 42.5%, 2.5%, and 5% of cases. The mandibular second primary molar was frequently affected with infraocclusion, while the maxillary first primary molar was less commonly affected. In the mandibular arch, the second primary molar (28, 58%) was more commonly affected with infraocclusion than the mandibular first primary molars and maxillary primary and secondary molars (p < 0.05). The majority of the infraoccluded molars were mild (75%), followed by moderate (23.5%) and severe (1.5%). Hypodontia (12.5%) is frequently associated with infraocclusion, followed by supernumerary teeth (5%) and radix entomolaris of the first permanent mandibular molars (5%). Infraocclusion was more in the second primary molar mandibular arch, while in the maxillary arch, the first primary molars were commonly affected (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In Arabian children, infraocclusion was commonly observed in mandibular second primary molars. Unilateral infraocclusion is a mild type of infraocclusion frequent in Arabian children. Numerical anomalies such as hypodontia and supernumerary teeth are associated with infraocclusion.

Correlation between BMI and Oral Health Status (DMFT, PI, mSBI, and Salivary 1,5-AG) among the Pediatric Population in Saudi Arabia: A Clinico-Biochemical Study.

The study aimed to investigate the association of varying body mass index (BMI) with oral health status among children aged 5−14 years and correlate the concentration of salivary levels of 1,5-AG with varying BMI, dental caries, and periodontal disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted on subjects aged 5 to 14 years. The children were recruited from the Pediatric Dental Clinic, College of Dentistry, Majmaah University, by convenient sampling method. Sociodemographic details and clinical parameters, including body mass index (BMI), DMFT/def (deciduous decayed tooth (d), deciduous extracted tooth (e), deciduous filled tooth (f), permanent tooth decayed (D), permanent missing tooth (M), and permanent filled tooth (F)), plaque index (PI), and modified sulcular bleeding index (mSBI), were evaluated. Salivary 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) was analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for all the subjects. Statistical analyses performed using SPSS v. 27 (IBM Statistics, Chicago, IL, USA) and the Kruskal−Wallis and chi-square tests were used for comparisons. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to examine the association between the study subjects' independent variables, BMI, and caries activity. The mean def score, PI, and mSBI scores were higher in obese children. PI score, mSBI score, and salivary concentrations of 1,5-AG between the BMI categories were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The study emphasizes promoting preventive oral health regimes, health awareness campaigns, and nutritional educational programs among the pediatric population.

Effect of the Addition of Varying Concentrations of Silver Nanoparticles on the Fluoride Uptake and Recharge of Glass Ionomer Cement.

This study aimed to compare the amount of fluoride uptake and the recharge and release characteristics of conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) without any additives in comparison to conventional glass ionomer cement supplemented with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at two concentrations: 0.1% and 0.2% (w/w). A total of 60 specimens were used in this in vitro study. The sample was divided into six groups­including three groups without fluoride charge: Group 1 (conventional GIC), Group 2 (GIC with 0.1% silver nanoparticles), and Group 3 (GIC with 0.2% silver nanoparticles; and three groups with fluoride charge: Group 4 (conventional GIC with fluoride); Group 5 (GIC with 0.1% silver nanoparticles with fluoride); Group 6 (GIC with 0.2% silver nanoparticles with fluoride), where Group 1 is considered the control group and the other five groups are used as the test groups. The amount of fluoride released was measured on days 1, 2, 7, 15, and 30. The comparisons were made between the groups with and without fluoride and among all the groups. A significant difference in the amount of fluoride released was observed between the groups, with the highest amount occurring in Group 1, followed by Group 2; the lowest amount of fluoride released was observed in Group 3 (p < 0.05). The groups with fluoride recharge (Groups 4, 5, and 6) exhibited a higher amount of fluoride release than the groups with no recharge (Groups 1, 2, and 3); however, Group 1 has more fluoride release compared to all other groups on days 1, 2, 7, 15, and 30 (p < 0.05). The amount of released fluoride decreased from day 1 to day 30 in all of the groups in the study. Despite the antimicrobial and anticariogenic benefits of adding silver nanoparticles to GIC, it seems that fluoride release characteristics are significantly affected by the addition of this material. This may force the clinician to a compromise between the antimicrobial benefit of silver nanoparticles and the remineralizing advantage of fluoride.

Comparative Evaluation of Stress Acting on Abutment, Bone, and Connector of Different Designs of Acid-Etched Resin-Bonded Fixed Partial Dentures: Finite Element Analysis.

Background: Finite element analysis (FEA) is one of the best methods for evaluating the stress distribution of restorations, such as fixed partial dentures. The development of resin cement has transformed prosthesis bonding and retention properties. Resin-bonded fixed partial dentures (RBFPD) have been considered minimally invasive treatment options for the prosthetic rehabilitation of single missing teeth. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the stress load and distribution in four different designs of acid-etched RBFPDs using FEA. Materials and Methods: The designs included standard tooth preparation principles and additional features. The first premolar and first molar abutments replaced the missing second premolar. Designs 1, 2, 3, and 4 included (1) lingual wings and occlusal rests; (2) wings and proximal slices; (3) wings, rests, and grooves; and (4) wings, rests, grooves, and occlusal coverage. The prepared models were restored with RBFPDs. A load of 100 N was applied to the central groove of the pontic to simulate occlusal forces. The materials used in the models were considered to be isotropic, homogeneous, and linearly elastic. FEA was used to reveal stresses acting on the abutment, bone, and connector in all prosthesis designs. Results: The stresses transmitted to the abutment and bones were lowest for design 3, using wings, rests, and grooves. The stresses acting on the connector were the weakest in design 2. The stresses transmitted to the abutment and bone were highest in designs 1 and 4. The stresses transmitted to the connector were highest in design 3. Conclusion: The wings, rests, and grooves design is possibly the ideal and conservative tooth preparation design to receive a posterior RBFPD. This design transmits less stress to the abutments and less bone resorption in the FEA. It is most likely to be successful in the clinical provision and ensures the longevity of the prosthesis.

Penetration and Adaptation of the Highly Viscous Zinc-Reinforced Glass Ionomer Cement on Contaminated Fissures: An In Vitro Study with SEM Analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the penetration and adaptation of highly viscous zinc-reinforced glass ionomer cement (ZRGIC), using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), when applied under various contaminated conditions on grooves and fissures of primary second molars. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 extracted human primary second molars were randomly assigned into five groups (8 teeth each), with different surface conditions (conditioned with 40% polyacrylic acid, dry condition, water contamination, saliva contamination, or saliva contamination and air-drying) on the occlusal surface before placement of zinc-reinforced highly viscous glass ionomer cement with the finger-press technique. After sectioning the teeth, they were subjected to SEM analysis, where four in each group underwent aging by thermocycling and the other four were without aging. ANOVA tests, post hoc analysis, and unpaired t-tests were used for statistical analyses. Results: There was a significant statistical difference in the sealant penetration in the non-aging group, but in the aging group, there was no significant statistical difference in the sealant penetration. On other hand, a significant statistical difference was found in the adaptation between all the groups (p < 0.05). Highly viscous zinc-reinforced glass ionomer fissure sealants have better fissure penetration and more intimate adaptation under fissures conditioned with 40% polyacrylic acid and dry surface fissures with no contamination. However, the best penetration and retention after aging were under contaminated fissures with a shiny layer of saliva. Conclusions: The ZRGIC is a highly viscous fluoride-releasing cement, effectively seals fissures by interfering with food lodgment and protecting teeth from caries. It is advisable to restore the fissures with the minimal technique of sensitive fluoride-releasing GIC, particularly in young, uncooperative children, rather than leaving a caries-prone environment.

Association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Dental Caries among 6-12-Year-Old School Children.

This study aimed to identify the association between BMI and dental caries in 6−12-year-old children. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 6−12-year-old school children and their parents. The data on Body Mass Index (BMI) and dental caries for study participants were included in the study. The association between BMI and dental caries was evaluated using SPSS software. The study comprises 400 school children (157 boys and 243 girls) aged an average of 8.9 years. The overall prevalence of dental caries was 84% in primary dentition and 75% in permanent dentition, with a mean DMFT and dmft (decayed, missing and filled teeth) of 2.85 and 5.48, respectively. There was a significant association witnessed between mothers' education and BMI status. A significant association was also evident between decayed (d), missing (m) and filled (f) teeth and overall dmft with different BMI categories (p < 0.05). There was no significant association evident between DMFT and each category of BMI (p > 0.05). The dmft and DMFT within the four BMI categories by one-way ANOVA were highly significant (p < 0.001). Post hoc analysis helped us identify the relationship among the various categories of BMI with dental caries. There was a positive association evident between the BMI of the children and dental caries.

Qualitative and Quantitative Micro-CT Analysis of Natal and Neonatal Teeth.

The objective of this study was to characterize natal and neonatal teeth using micro-computed tomography. A total of 4 natal and 11 neonatal teeth were used for the analysis. The reconstructed scans were assessed for the maximum enamel/dentin thickness and mineral density (MD). The scanned specimens were 3D reconstructed to qualitatively determine the surface topography. The dentin thickness was two-fold greater than enamel thickness for both natal and neonatal teeth (p < 0.05). The cervical third enamel MD remained undetermined in natal and neonatal teeth. The dentin MD at the cervical third for neonatal teeth was significantly lower than the incisal and middle third dentin (p < 0.05). Similarly, the dentin MD at the cervical third of neonatal teeth was significantly lower than the cervical third dentin MD of natal teeth (p < 0.05). Our qualitative analysis suggests that the cervical thirds of both natal and neonatal teeth are peculiar of an anomalous structure, with neonatal teeth showing an irregular outline. Under the conditions of the present study, it can be concluded that the neonatal teeth studied exhibited a distinguishable aberrant structure compared to the natal teeth. Therefore, the natal teeth unfold as a more organized, three-dimensional structure compared to the neonatal teeth.

Nano-based targeted drug delivery for lung cancer: therapeutic avenues and challenges.

Most anticancer drugs often fail in clinical trials due to poor solubility, poor bioavailability, lack of targeted delivery and several off-target effects. Polymeric nanoparticles such as poly(lactide), poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), ALB-loading paclitaxel (Abraxane® ABI-007), lomustine-loaded chitosan, gelatin (decorated with EGF receptor-targeted biotinylated EGF) and so on offer controlled and sustained drug-release properties, biocompatibility and promising anticancer effects. EGF, folic acid, transferrin, sigma and urokinase plasminogen activator receptors-targeting nano preparations improve bioavailability and accumulate drugs on the lung tumor cell surface. However, route of administration, size, pharmacokinetic properties, immune clearance and so on hamper nanomedicines' clinical uses. This review focuses on the benefits, avenues and challenges of nanoparticle-based drug-delivery systems for lung cancer treatment.

Globally, 2 million people are dying annually due to lung cancer and it is the leading cause of death among men in 93 countries. Currently, lung cancer medicine does not reach tumor sites and induces several side effects. Therefore, lung cancer medicines are not effectively reducing lung cancer. One of the efficient ways of delivering anticancer drugs to improve targeted delivery is the conjugation of drugs with cancer cell surface-targeting moieties and encapsulation of unique nanocarriers/nanoparticles. Specific nanoencapsulated drugs selectively target EGF receptors, folic acid receptors, transferrin receptors, sigma receptors and urokinase plasminogen activator receptors on the lung cancer cell surface and deliver the anticancer drugs, leading to cancer regression.