title: Quantum Dots in the Therapy: Current Trends and Perspectives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Quantum dots are an emerging nanomaterial with broad use in technical disciplines; however, their application in the field of biomedicine becomes also relevant and significant possibilities have appeared since the discovery in 1980s.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current review is focused on the therapeutic applications of quantum dots which become an emerging use of the particles. They are introduced as potent carriers of drugs and as a material well suited for the diagnosis of disparate pathologies like visualization of cancer cells or pathogenic microorganisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quantum dots toxicity and modifications for the toxicity reduction are discussed here as well. Survey of actual papers and patents in the field of quantum dots use in the biomedicine is provided.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, Trebesska 1575, CZ-500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pohanka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D045663:Quantum Dots
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers
keywords: Drug delivery; in vivo diagnostic; in vivo imaging; nanoparticle; nanotechnology; quantum dot