Carbon Nanotubes: An Emerging Drug Carrier for Targeting Cancer Cells

Figure 5

Pathways for the penetration of CNTs into the cell. (a) Nonreceptor mediated endocytosis: (1) membrane that surrounds the drug loaded functionalized CNTs, (2) internalization of drug loaded CNTs, and (3) release of drug; (b) receptor mediated endocytosis: (4) membrane surrounds the CNT-receptor conjugate by forming endosomes followed by internalization, (5) release of drug, and (6, 7, 8) regeneration of receptor; (c) endocytosis independent pathway: (9) direct penetration of drug loaded functionalized CNT and (10) release of the drug.