Recent progress in layered double hydroxides as a cancer theranostic nanoplatform

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) has been a big challenge in exploring new hybrid materials by intercalating inorganic, organic, or bio molecules into their lamellar lattice, those which often showed dual functions from each other or new mutative properties. Recently, nano-bio convergence technology becomes one of the most extensively studied research fields in the view point of developing advanced drugs and diagnostic agents to fight against disease and eventually to improve the lives of human beings. Therefore, LDH as one of the nanomaterials have been intensively investigated not only as biocompatible drug delivery vehicle for cancer chemotherapy but also as diagnostic and imaging agents. In the present review, we have attempted to summarize theranostic functions of drug-LDH hybrid nanoparticles including their synthetic methods, physico-chemical and biological properties, and their unique mechanism overcoming drug resistance, and targeting properties based on in vitro and finally in vivo results. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices Diagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging.