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Activatable dual-functional molecular agents for imaging-guided cancer therapy
Peng Zhang1, Yaowei Zhu2, Chunsheng Xiao3
1Key Laboratory of Polymer Ecomaterials, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, PR China; Jilin Biomedical Polymers Engineering Laboratory, Changchun 130022, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers (Fudan University), Shanghai 200433, PR China.
Activatable dual-functional molecular agents offer advanced cancer theranostics by combining real-time diagnosis and targeted treatment. These agents release imaging and therapeutic payloads specifically at tumor sites, enhancing efficacy and reducing side effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Theranostics integrates diagnosis and therapy for improved cancer management.
- Activatable dual-functional molecular agents offer precise, stimulus-responsive cancer care.
- These agents combine imaging and therapeutic functionalities for targeted delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in stimuli-responsive dual-functional molecular agents for cancer theranostics.
- To elaborate on the design, synthesis, and activation mechanisms of these agents.
- To discuss their biomedical applications, challenges, and future opportunities.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on dual-functional molecular agents for cancer theranostics.
- Analysis of molecular designs, synthetic strategies, and stimuli-responsive mechanisms.
- Evaluation of biomedical applications and performance in preclinical and clinical studies.
Main Results:
- Dual-functional agents can be designed to respond to various physiological or external stimuli.
- Stimuli-responsive activation enables targeted release of imaging and therapeutic agents at tumor sites.
- These agents demonstrate advantages such as high signal-to-noise ratio, low systemic toxicity, and improved therapeutic effects.
Conclusions:
- Stimuli-responsive dual-functional molecular agents represent a promising strategy for advanced cancer theranostics.
- Further research into molecular design and activation mechanisms can optimize their clinical translation.
- Addressing current challenges will unlock the full potential of these agents in personalized cancer treatment.
