A review of the effects of chitosan nanoparticles on cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and worldwide. The two main forms of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer (about ۸۵% of all lung cancers) and small cell lung cancer (about ۱۵%). Despite advances in early detection and standard treatment, non-small cell lung cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage and has a poor prognosis. Major unmet needs exist in the treatment and prevention of lung cancer that could likely be improved by a better understanding of the molecular origins and evolution of the disease. Environmental factors such as tobacco smoke and genetic susceptibility interact to influence carcinogenesis. Non-smoking-related factors —including genetic, hormonal, and viral factors (such as human papillomavirus) —have been suggested. Genetic and epigenetic alterations (such as mutations, loss of heterozygosity, and promoter methylation) and global transcriptional alterations (e.g., inflammatory and apoptosis pathways) are implicated in the initiation and development of lung cancer. These long-term changes ultimately lead to aberrant pathway activation and cellular function (e.g., dysregulated proliferation and apoptosis) to induce premalignant changes, including dysplasia and clonal patches. Additional changes can lead to advanced angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis.

کلیدواژه ها:

Lung cancer ، metastasis ، genetic alterations