Boron nitride nanotubes as drug carriers

This chapter describes the recent progresses in the studies of boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) applications as drug carriers. These include the dispersion of BNNTs in solution, a review of various drug species loaded onto BNNTs, the interactions between BNNTs and drugs, biocompatibility, distribution, and excretion of BNNTs, etc. The surface functionalization strategies have been developed to solve the most fundamental problem in the use of BNNTs as a drug carrier, that is, the dispersion ability of BNNT in an aqueous or physiological solution. The functionalized BNNTs have been used to load DNA, protein and chemotherapy drugs, and deliver them into cells in a controlled fashion by virtue of various internal and external triggers, such as pH, antibody ligands, external magnetic field, and so on. The in vivo investigation in regards of biocompatibility, distribution, and excretion of BNNTs has paved the way for awaiting nanomedicine applications. The existing challenges for the future of the BNNTs as drug carriers are finally summarized