Nanocarriers for drug delivery : concepts and applications This book covers basic aspects of different nanoparticles including type of materials lipid polymeric and inorganic structures synthesis strategies as well as the main physicochemical characterization techniques. Moreover this book addresses applications for both treatment and diagnosis of diseases highlighting in vitro and in vivo findings and clinical evaluation. The chapters highlight the main barriers for drug delivery which can benefit from nanoencapsulation: the topical and oral routes. The main innovations in the field such as gene therapy and functionalization of nanoparticles with a variety of moieties including monoclonal antibodies for selective delivery are discussed and illustrated with examples. Finally the application of nanoparticles for drug delivery to cancer is reviewed considering toxicology and regulatory aspects. Polymeric Nanoparticles Lipid Nanocarriers Inorganic nanoparticles for biomedical applications Colloidal Disperse Systems: Microemulsions and Nanoemulsions Physicochemical characterization of drug nanocarrriers Targeting of drug nanocarriers Nanocarriers for oral drug delivery Nanocarriers of drugs for topical delivery Recent advances in nanocarriers used for selective gene silencing therapy Nanocarriers for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer Nanosystems comprising biocompatible polymers for the delivery of photoactive compounds in biomedical applications Toxicology of Nanoparticles Regulation of Nanotechnology based Products Subject to Health Regulations: Application of Quality by Design (QbD) and Quality Risk Management (QRM).