New Generation of Multifunctional Nanoparticles for Cancer Imaging and Therapy

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2009-05, Vol.19 (10), p.1553-1566
• Main Authors: Park, Kyeongsoon, Lee, Seulki, Kang, Eunah, Kim, Kwangmeyung, Choi, Kuiwon, Kwon, Ick Chan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cancer; imaging; multifunctional nanoparticles; nanotechnology; therapy
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.200801655

Advances in nanotechnology have contributed to the development of novel nanoparticles that enable the tumor‐specific delivery of imaging probes and therapeutic agents in cancer imaging and therapy. Nanobiotechnology combines nanotechnology with molecular imaging, which has led to the generation of new multifunctional nanoparticles for cancer imaging and therapy. Multifunctional nanoparticles hold great promise for the future of cancer treatment because they can detect the early onset of cancer in each individual patient and deliver suitable therapeutic agents to enhance therapeutic efficacy. The combination of tumor‐targeted imaging and therapy in an all‐in‐one system provides a useful multimodal approach in the battle against cancer. Novel multifunctional nanoparticles thus offer a new avenue in the application of personalized medicine in the near future. Herein, new trends and the significance of novel multifunctional nanoparticles in cancer imaging and therapy are reviewed. Nanobiotechnology combines nanotechnology with molecular imaging, which has led to the generation of new multifunctional nanoparticles for cancer imaging and therapy. Multifunctional nanoparticles (see image) that combine tumor‐targeted imaging with therapy in an all‐in‐one system hold great promise for the future of cancer treatment because they can detect early stage cancer and deliver suitable therapeutic agents to enhance therapeutic efficacy.