Emerging trends in nanotheranostics

Abstract

In recent times, the population is more prone to getting sick than the times before. This widespread occurrence of diseases warrants a diagnostic system in place which can help us acknowledge its presence even during the early stages, especially in the case of life-threatening ones. Nanotheranostics is a field which helps us with the same; it not only helps us to diagnose a disease in its earlier stages but also helps treat it at the point of care itself. Nanotheranostics include diagnosis at a nanoscale level, using tools such as MRI, PET-CT scan, etc., as well as providing therapy at the nanoscale level using tools like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, etc. Both systems are conjugated on a nanocarrier which can be a polymer, lipid, or inorganic material depending upon the properties required. This new age medical system has also opened avenues for something called personalized medicine.