The Coppery Age: Copper (Cu)-Involved Nanotheranostics

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanomedicine
• Materials Science

Background:

• Copper (Cu) ions are essential trace elements with significant biological roles, including promoting angiogenesis and regulating metabolism.
• Advances in nanotechnology have led to the development of copper-involved biomaterial nanoplatforms with theranostic capabilities.
• These nanoplatforms harness the biological effects of copper species and the properties of copper nanoparticles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the principles, progress, and prospects of copper-composed functional nanoplatforms for biomedical applications.
• To discuss the design and construction of these nanoplatforms.
• To highlight diverse applications including nanomedicine, nanotherapeutics, antibacteria, tissue regeneration, and bioimaging.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent significant progress in copper-involved nanotheranostics.
• Discussion on the engineering of copper-based nanocomposites for synergistic nanotherapeutics.
• Analysis of biological effects and biosafety of these nanoplatforms.

Main Results:

• Copper-based nanoplatforms offer intriguing theranostic performances in biomedicine.
• Engineering of nanocomposites enables synergistic therapeutic effects.
• Biological effects and biosafety are crucial for clinical translation.

Conclusions:

• Copper-involved nanotherapeutic modalities are poised for broad biomedical applications in preclinical and clinical settings.
• Despite current research being in its infancy, the 'Copper Age' of nanotherapeutics is emerging.
• Further research is needed to address clinical concerns and hurdles for wider adoption.