Quantum Dots Functionalized Polymeric Nanoparticles as Cancer Theranostics: An Advanced Nanomedicine Strategy

Area of Science:

• Nanomedicine
• Polymeric Nanomaterials
• Quantum Dots

Background:

• Conventional cancer therapies face challenges like relapse and drug resistance.
• Nanomedicine, particularly cancer theranostics, is gaining importance due to its targeting, biodegradability, and drug-loading capabilities.
• Polymeric nanoconjugates functionalized with imaging probes offer a nano-combinatorial approach to cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in quantum dots-functionalized nanoconjugates.
• To highlight progress in advanced polymeric nanomaterials for cancer theranostics.

Main Methods:

• Details synthetic methods for Quantum Dots (QDs) and QD-functionalized nanoparticles.
• Includes hydrothermal, solvothermal, atomic layer desorption, electrochemical, microwave, and ultrasonic fabrication techniques.

Main Results:

• Conjugating nanoparticles with photo-emitting QDs shows efficacy in real-time monitoring.
• This approach is effective for treating multi-drug-resistant cancer.

Conclusions:

• QDs are versatile tools for phototherapy, bioimaging, and drug delivery in cancer treatment.
• Real-time therapy monitoring is achievable with QD-based systems.
• Hybridized QD models offer potential for novel cancer treatment strategies, with efforts to conjugate QDs with biomolecules.