Carbon nanotubes for cancer therapy and neurodegenerative diseases.

ABSTRACT

Our review summarizes the latest approaches regarding a new class of nanomaterials - carbon nanotubes (CNTs) -, which are promising candidates in different areas of nanomedicine. This paper discusses the main applications of CNTs in the repair of injured nerves and also as delivery systems for cancer therapy in difficult to reach anatomic sites. In terms of neurological applications, we focus on neural interface, neural stimulation, microelectrodes, and differentiation of stem cell into neural cells. Also, we highlight the in vitro and in vivo applications of CNTs-mediated cancer therapy and we will explain why CNTs are used for the treatment of difficult tumors.