Chitosan-based systems for theranostic applications

Abstract

The ideal theranostic approach is capable of several functions ranging from diagnosis to treatment with accurate targeting of cancer-specific cells. Therefore, the newest generation of theranostic systems offers opportunities to combine passive and active targeting, environmentally responsive drug release, molecular imaging, and other therapeutic functions into a single biomedical platform. To achieve this purpose, biomedical researchers have developed various systems composed of organic or inorganic materials. Due to its remarkable physicochemical and biological properties, chitosan and its derivatives have been employed in the development of composite theranostic systems able of prediction, real-time monitoring, and assessment of the therapeutic responses. This review outlines recent developments of chitosan-based systems for theranostic applications and analyzes them in terms of performances and limits. Conclusions and future perspectives will both synthesize the state of the art of the chitosan applications in theragnosis and the authors’ point of view about insights toward biopolymer unexploited implications in this field.