title: Scientific and industrial challenges of developing nanoparticle-based theranostics and multiple-modality contrast agents for clinical application.
abstract: Designing of theranostics and dual or multi-modality contrast agents are currently two of the hottest topics in biotechnology and biomaterials science. However, for single entity theranostics, a right ratio of their diagnostic component and their therapeutic component may not always be realized in a composite suitable for clinical application. For dual/multiple modality molecular imaging agents, after in vivo administration, there is an optimal time window for imaging, when an agent is imaged by one modality, the pharmacokinetics of this agent may not allow imaging by another modality. Due to reticuloendothelial system clearance, efficient in vivo delivery of nanoparticles to the lesion site is sometimes difficult. The toxicity of these entities also remains poorly understood. While the medical need of theranostics is admitted, the business model remains to be established. There is an urgent need for a global and internationally harmonized re-evaluation of the approval and marketing processes of theranostics. However, a reasonable expectation exists that, in the near future, the current obstacles will be removed, thus allowing the wide use of these very promising agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China. yixiang_wang@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Yì Xiáng J
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Wáng
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Idée
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Corot
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D018803:Models, Economic; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000191:economics*; D000068936:Theranostic Nanomedicine / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media