Template-type: ReDif-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Coccia M. 
Author-Name: Wang L. 
Author-workplace-name: UNU-MERIT
Title: Path-breaking directions of nanotechnology-based chemotherapy and molecular cancer therapy
Abstract: A fundamental question is how to detect likely successful anticancer  treatments based on nanotechnology. We confront this question here by  analysing the trajectories of nanotechnologies applied to path-breaking  cancer treatments, which endeavour to pinpoint ground-breaking and  fruitful directions in nanomedicine. Results tend to show two main  technological waves of cancer treatments by nanotechnology applications.  The early technological wave in the early 2000s was embodied in some  types of chemotherapy agents with a broad spectrum, while after 2006 the  second technological wave appeared with new nanotechnological  applications in both chemotherapy agents and molecular target therapy.  The present study shows new directions of nanotechnology-based  chemotherapy and molecular cancer therapy in new treatments for breast,  lung, brain and colon cancers. A main finding of this study is the  recognition that, since the late 2000s, the sharp increase of several  technological trajectories of nanotechnologies and anticancer drugs  seems to be driven by high rates of mortality of some types of cancers  e.g. pancreatic and brain in order to find more effective anticancer  therapies that increase the survival of patients. The study also shows  that global research leaders specialize in nanotechnology applications  for specific cancers e.g. Switzerland in prostate cancer, Japan in  colon cancer, China in ovarian cancer and Greece in pancreatic cancer.  These ground-breaking technological trajectories are paving new  directions in biomedicine and generating a revolution in clinical  practice that may lead to more effective anticancer treatments in the  not-too-distant future.     Keywords Nanotechnology, Nanoscience, Biomedicine, Nanomedicine, Target  Therapy, Chemotherapy, Cancer, Bibliometrics, Publications,  Technological Trajectories.
Keywords: Forecasting and Prediction Methods; Simulation Methods ; Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs: Other; Health: General; Technological Change; Research and Development; Intellectual Property Rights: General; 
Classification-JEL: C89; C53; O30; I10; .
Series:  Working Papers
Creation-Date: 2014
Number: 005
File-URL: http://pub.maastrichtuniversity.nl/dc82669c-513b-4b36-a7c5-93fbc6c019af
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 669421
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2014005