The emerging landscape of nanotheranostic-based diagnosis and therapy for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease involving numerous joint tissues and cells, with a growing rate in prevalence that ultimately results in a negative social impact. Early diagnosis, OA progression monitoring and effective treatment are of significant importance in halting OA process. However, traditional imaging techniques lack sensitivity and specificity, which lead to a delay in timely clinical intervention. Additionally, current treatments only slow the progression of OA but have not meet the largely medical need for disease-modifying therapy. In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and improve clinical efficacy, nanotheranostics has been proposed on OA remedy, which has confirmed success in animal models. In this review, different imaging targets-based nanoprobe for early and timely OA diagnosis is first discussed. Second, therapeutic strategies delivered by nanosystem are summarized as much as possible. Their advantages and the potential for clinical translation are detailed discussed. Third, nanomedicine simultaneously combined with the imaging for OA treatment is introduced. Nanotheranostics dynamically tracked the OA treatment outcomes to timely and individually adjust therapy. Finally, future prospects and challenges of nanotechnology-based OA diagnosis, imaging and treatment are concluded and predicted. It is believed that nanoprobe and nanomedicine will become prospective in OA therapeutic revolution.