Cancer nanotheranostics: Strategies, promises and impediments.
Cancer has remained one of the most indomitable conundrums for scientists over centuries due to its multifarious etiology. While improved therapeutic and diagnostic approaches have commendably augmented the rate of survival of cancer patients, a holistic riddance from the ailment is still implausible. Hence, further explorations to scout for novel strategies of cancer therapy and diagnosis are necessary. Theranostics (amalgamation of therapy and diagnostics) has emerged as one of the avant-garde strategies, which provides a two-pronged advantage in cancer management. This integrative approach has found immense relevance in light of nanotechnology. Nanoparticles can be customized (loaded with a mélange of therapeutic drugs and diagnostic probes) to develop theranostic properties, thereby constructing nanotheranostic agents. These nano-composites are lucrative tools for cancer cell obliteration and simultaneous monitoring of the drug action, and can also be tailored for targeted drug delivery. Nanotheranostic agents have emerged as a prudent ploy for synchronized cancer intervention and detection of the 'route and reach' of the drugs. In this review, we discuss the diversified state-of-the-art facets of theranostic nanoparticles, including various nanoparticle-based platforms as well as the plethora of reported therapeutic drugs, aptamers, markers and diagnostic molecules that have found use in the precincts of nanotheranostics.
M.Tech Biotechnology Program, School of Chemical and Bio Technology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India; Cellular Dyshomeostasis Laboratory (CDHL), Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical and Bio Technology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India.
Moumita
M
Roy Chowdhury
College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Collaborative Life Sciences Building, 2703 SW Moody Avenue, Portland, OR 97201, USA.
Canan
C
Schumann
Cellular Dyshomeostasis Laboratory (CDHL), Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical and Bio Technology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic address: dipita2001@gmail.com.
Dipita
D
Bhakta-Guha
Cellular Dyshomeostasis Laboratory (CDHL), Department of Biotechnology, School of Chemical and Bio Technology, SASTRA University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic address: gunjan.doc@gmail.com.
Gunjan
G
Guha
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods*; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D053758:Nanoparticles; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D000068936:Theranostic Nanomedicine; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers
Cancer; Diagnosis; Nanoparticle; Nanotheranostics; Theranostics; Therapy