Novel nanotechnology approaches to diagnosis and therapy of ovarian cancer

ObjectiveOvarian carcinoma is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies, which is a direct outcome of missing its diagnosis at an early stage. Approximately 75% of ovarian cancer patients are initially diagnosed with disseminated intra-abdominal disease (stages III–IV) when ~ 30% of patients have a 5-year survival rate. In addition to the challenge of early detection of ovarian cancer, its therapy presents several challenges including the route of therapy, resistance to therapy with recurrence of cancer, and specific targeting of ovarian cancer to reduce cytotoxic side effects.MethodsWe reviewed recent literature employing nanotechnology approaches to diagnosis and therapy of ovarian cancer.ResultsRecent innovations in nanotechnology with applications in cancer diagnostics and therapy help circumvent many pre-existing problems with conventional chemotherapy and present new ways of diagnosis and therapy.ConclusionsNanotechnology has promising potential in enhancing early detection of ovarian cancer and treatment of recurrent disease.

Research Highlights
► Nanotechnology has potential for improving ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment.
► Nanotechnology contributes to early diagnosis (screening & imaging) of ovarian cancer.
► Nanotechnology helps overcome therapeutic resistance and recurrence of ovarian cancer.
► There is deficiency in training biomedical students in the field of nanotechnology.