Foreword

The medical application of nanotechnology (that is “nanomedicine”) has enormous potential to improve healthcare, particularly in the treatment of cancer. In that context polymer nanomedicines or polymer therapeutics plays a significant role due to specific properties of macromolecular compounds. At first insight nanomedicine is the rather more well-defined application of nanotechnology in the areas of healthcare and disease diagnosis and treatment. But, here, too, one encounters a bewildering array of programmes and projects. Artificial bone implants already benefit from nanotechnologically improved materials. Nanostructural surfaces can serve as scaffolding controlled tissue-growth. Of course, all kinds of medical devices profit from miniaturization of electronic components as they move beyond micro to nano. Nanoparticulate pharmaceutical agents can penetrate cells more effectively as well as being able to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). After injecting nanoparticles into tumors, these can be stimulated electromagnetically from outside the body by emitting heat, the stimulated particle can then destroy the tumor cells.The discovery of new molecular targets and the subsequent development of novel anticancer agents offered more perspectives for the use of polymeric nanomedicines in the cancer treatment.

As we are living in a changing society and life expectancy has been continously increasing, human pathologies related to aging, such as musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, nonhealing wounds or neurodegenerative disease, are becoming major health problems. Therefore, a switch in the therapeutic armory is urgently required. I believe that polymeric nanomedicines is the appropriate strategy to achieve an effective treatment of many incurable diseases.

The eBook “Polymeric Nanomedicines” is, in my opinion, a harmonious combination between tradition and innovation. This eBook has highlighted the use of classical organic chemistry methods for obtaining or modifying new nanoparticulate systems with specific biological activity and enhanced effectiveness. Using numerous, diverse and latest sources of information, the eBook represents a significant contribution to knowledge and development of biological active nanosystems. This eBook is useful both for specialists with experience in different fields (chemistry, biochemistry, physicians, surgeons) and young beginners who want to go deep into this fascinating field of biologically active nanoparticulate systems.

The eBook edited by Marcel Popa and Constantin V. Uglea provides a broad overview of the synthesis, characterization and applications of nanoparticulate systems especially in cancer treatment. Written by experts in their respective fields, this eBook will make the reader acquainted with a variety of topics ranging from nanotechnology definition and synthesis and characterization of polymer-drug conjugates to various applications of nanoparticulate systems in cancer treatment and toxicological aspects of these systems.