title: Quantum dots in cancer therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quantum dots (QDs) are nanometer-size luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals. Their unique optical properties, such as high brightness, long-term stability, simultaneous detection of multiple signals and tunable emission spectra, make them appealing as potential diagnostic and therapeutic systems in the field of oncology.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper summarizes the recent progress of promising applications of QDs in cancer therapy, from the following aspects: identifying molecular targets, sentinel lymph-node mapping, surgical oncology, drug delivery and tracking, fluorescence resonance energy transfer and photodynamic therapy, personalized and predictive medicine, and multifunctional design and development. Limitations and toxicity issues related to QDs in living organisms are also discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bioconjugated QDs can be used to identify potential molecular biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. They may allow the surgeon to map sentinel lymph nodes and perform a complete surgical resection. Their unique optical properties make them ideal donors of fluorescence resonance energy transfer and photodynamic therapy studies. Multifunctional QDs have become effective materials for synchronous cancer diagnosis, targeting and treatment. For QDs, toxicity remains the major barrier to clinical translation.
authors.affiliation: Fudan University Shanghai, Shanghai Cancer Center, Department of Pancreas & Hepatobiliary Surgery, No. 270, Dong'An Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, China.
authors.forename: Guopei
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shunrong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xianjun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Quanxing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D045663:Quantum Dots
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor