Multimodality Nanoparticles for Imaging and Therapy

Abstract: Nanoparticle technologies have experienced rapid growth toward the goal of clinical applications in the treatment and diagnosis of disease. While the inherent potential of these technologies to enhance ttherapy in the clinic is on the horizon, the ability to non-invasively visualize the site-specific delivery of therapeutics remains a highly sought after goal. Toward this goal, the design of multifunctional nanoparticles has emerged as an attractive means to satisfy both therapy and noninvasive imaging. Here, we discuss two examples involving self-assembly of nanoparticles into therapeutic/diagnostic “theranostic” systems, incorporating optimal characteristics for intelligent delivery of therapeutics and noninvasive multimodal imaging.