Bioinspired theranostic quantum dots: paving the road to a new paradigm for cancer diagnosis and therapeutics

Drug Discov Today. 2023 Nov 8:103822. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103822. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTDespite extensive research, a complete cure remains lacking for most types of cancer. Nanotechnology-based carriers, such as liposomes, nanoparticles (NPs), dendrimers, nanoemulsions, and other nanocarriers, can target cancer cells, but their in vivo fate is unpredictable. Bioinspired quantum dots (BQDs) offer enhanced aqueous solubility, exceptionally low toxicity, biocompatibility, easy biofunctionalization, and selective cancer targeting. Given their photoluminescence, high longitudinal relaxation value, photothermal effect upon laser irradiation, generation of singlet oxygen, and H2S for gas therapy, BQDs are excellent cancer theranostic agents. In this review, we highlight the theranostic application of, and existing challenges relating to, BQDs.PMID:37949429 | DOI:10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103822
Source: Drug Discovery Today - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Source Type: research