title: Fluorescent nanoparticle probes for cancer imaging.
abstract: Optical imaging technique has strong potential for sensitive cancer diagnosis, particularly at the early stage of cancer development. This is a sensitive, non-invasive, non-ionizing (clinically safe) and relatively inexpensive technique. Cancer imaging with optical technique however greatly relies upon the use of sensitive and stable optical probes. Unlike the traditional organic fluorescent probes, fluorescent nanoparticle probes such as dye-doped nanoparticles and quantum dots (Qdots) are bright and photostable. Fluorescent nanoparticle probes are shown to be very effective for sensitive cancer imaging with greater success in the cellular level. However, cancer imaging in an in vivo setup has been recently realized. There are several challenges in developing fluorescent nanoparticle probes for in vivo cancer imaging applications. In this review, we will discuss various aspects of nanoparticle design, synthesis, surface functionalization for bioconjugation and cancer cell targeting. A brief overview of in vivo cancer imaging with Qdots will also be presented.
authors.affiliation: Nanoscience Technology Center, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science Center, University of Central Florida, Research Pavilion, Orlando, 32826, USA. ssantra@mail.ucf.edu
authors.forename: Swadeshmukul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santra
authors.forename: Debamitra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.forename: Glenn A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Brij M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Moudgil
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D045663:Quantum Dots; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011108:Polymers; D012825:Silicon