Nanoparticles in nanotheranostics applications

Abstract

Nanotheranostics, the amalgamation of diagnosis and therapeutic functions with nanotechnology, is a novel approach in personalized medicine. The advancement of nanotechnology offers a greater opportunity to engineer nanoparticles in theranostics applications and it has shown promising results especially in cancer therapy compared to conventional treatments. Since nanoparticles possess enhanced surface properties, they are capable of orienting nanotheranostic agents in specific sites of disease through which it significantly reduces the undesired side effects. In addition, the biocompatibility of those nanotheranostic agents with target cells or tissues provides a greater advantage to apply them in therapeutic functions as well as in imaging. Primarily metallic, magnetic, polymeric nanoparticles and quantum dots are used in nanotheranostics applications and gold-based nanomaterials and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have attracted significant attention in recent years. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to discuss the use of nanoparticles in theranostic applications while made them functionally important in nanotheranostics for personalized medicine.