Rajesh Kumar’s scientific contributions

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolving nanoparticles in the treatment of cancer. It begins with the detailed overview of the various histopathological classification of the head and neck cancer. The first chapter gives detailed description on the clinical landscape of head and neck cancer. The essence of nanoparticles in the book begins with the second chapter followed with the third chapter which gives more insight into the different types of nanoparticles and their drug delivery systems. The fourth chapter explains the nanoparticles and its treatment involved in one of the most common type of head and neck cancer i.e., oral squamous cell carcinoma. The fifth and final chapter ends in note with the recent developments, current status and future perspectives of Nanoparticles.

Immuno-oncology has revolutionized the treatment of cancer patients. Sir William Coley, known as the father of immunotherapy, was the first to explore the potential of the immune system in treating cancer. His pioneering work was the first to show that tumors could be recognized and attacked by the immune system. Coley developed a bacterial mixture, combining Streptococcus pyogenes and Serratia marcescens, hoping to induce sepsis and trigger a strong immune and anti-tumor response. This marked the earliest documented attempt at an anti-cancer treatment. He believed that by stimulating the immune system, tumors could be fought and reduced. His approach followed a logical progression: he researched existing treatments, created a new therapy using bacterial toxins, tested it on his patients, and published his results in Annals of Surgery in 1891. However, the underlying mechanism of this treatment remained unclear. Due to this, the medical community shifted towards surgical and radiotherapy options in the early 20th century.

Nanotechnology serves as a crucial link between the biological and physical sciences by leveraging nanostructures and nanophases in diverse scientific disciplines (Liu et al., 2009), especially in fields such as nanomedicine and nano-based drug delivery systems where these particles play a pivotal role. Substances considered as nanomaterials usually have sizes from 1 to 100 nm and are instrumental in critical aspects of nanomedicine including biosensors, microfluidics, drug delivery mechanisms, microarray tests, and tissue engineering. At the nanoscale, therapeutic agents are employed to develop nanomedicines. The realm of biomedicine, encompassing nanobiotechnology, drug delivery, biosensors, and tissue engineering, has progressed significantly through the adoption of nanoparticles. Because nanoparticles are crafted at the atomic or molecular level, they are typically small, spherical entities that traverse the human body more readily than larger counterparts. The initial wave of nanoparticle-based treatments included lipid-based configurations such as liposomes and micelles, which have gained FDA approval. These vehicles are capable of housing inorganic nanoparticles like gold or magnetic ones. This capability has spurred the increased application of inorganic nanoparticles, especially in the domains of drug delivery, imaging, and therapeutic interventions. Cells absorb nanostructures at a much higher rate than larger particles, usually between 1 to 10 µm, thus they can specifically target afflicted cells, enhancing the effectiveness of treatments while minimizing or eliminating side effects.

Nanoparticles exhibit unique properties, such as excellent refractory characteristics, high mechanical resistance, and compatibility with sintering and reactions involving various oxides. These nanoscale materials, despite their robust mechanical and refractory qualities, can effectively interact with different oxides, making them highly versatile. Their applications have garnered significant attention from researchers across disciplines, ranging from material science to biotechnology and genetics.

Cancer treatment presents a significant challenge because the nonselective destruction caused by therapeutic agents can damage vital organs. Nanotechnology offers potential solutions to overcome the limitations of current therapies. This field is extensively explored for the delivery of anticancer drugs and the targeted treatment of tumors. There is a critical need for new treatment strategies in managing squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). Current treatments often result in chemotherapy-related morbidity, localized damage to surrounding tissues through radiation, and disfigurement caused by surgical procedures. Chemotherapeutic agents that can specifically target and accumulate in tumor cells present a promising and appealing alternative to traditional chemotherapy, as they spare normal tissues. For over three decades, anti-tumor drugs administered in vivo have been used as pharmaceutical carriers.

Although they have somewhat different beginnings, tumors and carcinomas are two related things. While not every tumor turns into a carcinoma, every carcinoma starts as a tumor. Tumors are among the world's most prevalent diseases, accounting for 14 millions of new instances each year, According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2014 World Cancer Report, it causes 8.2 million deaths yearly. The majority of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas are oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), the most prevalent cancer of the oral cavity. According to a recent estimate, there were 145 000 cancer-related fatalities and 3,00 000 new instances of oral cancer reported globally in 2012.Approximately 3% of all malignancies are oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), which impact over 300,000 people annually and rank as the eighth most common malignant neoplasm globally.