Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Target-Specific Imaging and Therapy

Abstract

Since the early 2000s, we have witnessed an explosive growth in the development, preclinical application, and funding opportunities of nanoparticle research in biomedicine. One of the latest advances in nanoparticle development for biomedical purposes includes multifunctionality. This may apply to different features, including the functionalization to enhance specificity, the integration of multiple drugs, and the inclusion of imaging labels. Combinations of inorganic, polymeric, and natural materials to create hybrid nanoparticles are also possible. The complexity of such nanoparticle platforms increases with the number of materials and functionalities added. In this chapter, we review the latest developments in the design and application of multifunctional hybrid nanoparticles.