Oxidative cues as theranostic switches for the ROS-responsive Nanotheranostics in oxidative stress-driven diseases

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Nanotheranostics (NTs) integrate diagnosis and therapy using nanoscale systems.
• Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are crucial biomarkers and triggers for NTs in disease states.
• Elevated ROS levels are characteristic of neurodegeneration, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the roles of ROS in various diseases and the applications of ROS-responsive NTs.
• To highlight the potential of NTs for precision medicine in treating oxidative stress-driven diseases.
• To summarize recent advances in nanomaterial composition and chemistry for ROS-responsive NTs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of ROS-responsive nanotheranostics.
• Analysis of ROS roles in neurological, oncological, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases.
• Discussion of nanomaterial strategies for ROS detection and therapeutic delivery.

Main Results:

• ROS-responsive NTs can improve treatment efficacy, reduce side effects, and enable real-time disease tracking.
• Multifunctional NTs sensitive to additional triggers (pH, thermal, hypoxia) enhance diagnostic and therapeutic accuracy.
• Advanced nanomaterial design focuses on ROS response or scavenging for improved diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusions:

• ROS-responsive NTs represent a promising strategy for precision medicine, particularly for oxidative stress-related diseases.
• Integrating diagnosis and therapy via NTs offers significant advantages in managing complex diseases.
• Continued advances in nanomaterial science are crucial for developing next-generation nanotheranostics.