Safety of biomedical nanomaterials

In this chapter, we will discuss the safety concerns of nanomaterials in biomedical applications. Nanotechnology is nowadays widely studied for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, and an increasing number of nanomedicines have been approved for clinical use. The rate of expansion of biomedical nanomaterials calls for a better understanding of their safety profile. Herein, the toxicity of nanomaterials is reviewed from the property, mechanism, and regulatory perspective. In terms of unique physicochemical characteristics of nanomaterials, factors such as chemical composition, size, shape, and surface properties are closely related to nanomaterial toxicity. While interacting within biological systems, nanomaterials are found to cause toxic effects during their pharmacokinetic process including blood circulation, organ accumulation, and cellular uptake. What is more, the current progress in making regulatory guidance in different countries for biomedical nanotechnology is also presented. We intend to provide a general introduction to emphasize the importance of safety study in nano-biomedical applications.