Luminescent lanthanide nanomaterials: an emerging tool for theranostic applications

Lanthanide materials have been gaining popularity for use in various theranostic applications, primarily due to their unique optical properties such as narrow emission bands, multiple emission wavelengths, emission tunability, long fluorescence lifetime and large Stokes shift. Apart from these, some lanthanide materials also exhibit magnetic and light-up conversion properties. Such nanomaterials have been used for a wide range of applications ranging from detection of biomarkers, in vitro and in vivo imaging to therapeutic applications. Recently, combined modalities of lanthanide nanomaterials for simultaneous detection/imaging and delivery of therapeutic agents (termed 'theranostics') have been explored. The various advantages and disadvantages of using lanthanide nanomaterials as theranostic agents and potential areas for future development have been discussed in this review.