From Traditional Nanoparticles to Cluster-Triggered Emission Polymers for the Generation of Smart Nanotheranostics in Cancer Treatment

Nanotheranostics integrates diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities using nanoscale materials, advancing personalized medicine by enhancing treatment precision and reducing adverse effects. Key materials for nanotheranostics include metallic nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon dots, lipid nanopar...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Cristina Blasco-Navarro, Carlos Alonso-Moreno, Iván Bravo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Nanotheranostics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2624-845X/6/1/3
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850090343259701248
author Cristina Blasco-Navarro
Carlos Alonso-Moreno
Iván Bravo
author_facet Cristina Blasco-Navarro
Carlos Alonso-Moreno
Iván Bravo
author_sort Cristina Blasco-Navarro
collection DOAJ
description Nanotheranostics integrates diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities using nanoscale materials, advancing personalized medicine by enhancing treatment precision and reducing adverse effects. Key materials for nanotheranostics include metallic nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon dots, lipid nanoparticles and polymer-based nanocarriers, each offering unique benefits alongside specific challenges. Polymer-based nanocarriers, including hybrid and superparamagnetic nanoparticles, improve stability and functionality but are complex to manufacture. Polymeric nanoparticles with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) present promising theranostic potential for cancer detection and treatment. However, challenges such as translating the AIE concept to living systems, addressing toxicity concerns, overcoming deep-tissue imaging limitations, or ensuring biocompatibility remain to be resolved. Recently, cluster-triggered emission (CTE) polymers have emerged as innovative materials in nanotheranostics, offering enhanced fluorescence and biocompatibility. These polymers exhibit increased fluorescence intensity upon aggregation, making them highly sensitive for imaging and therapeutic applications. CTE nanoparticles, crafted from biodegradable polymers, represent a safer alternative to traditional nanotheranostics that rely on embedding conventional fluorophores or metal-based agents. This advancement significantly reduces potential toxicity while enhancing biocompatibility. The intrinsic fluorescence allows real-time monitoring of drug distribution and activity, optimizing therapeutic efficacy. Despite their potential, these systems face challenges such as maintaining stability under physiological conditions and addressing the need for comprehensive safety and efficacy studies to meet clinical and regulatory standards. Nevertheless, their unique properties position CTE nanoparticles as promising candidates for advancing theranostic strategies in personalized medicine, bridging diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities in innovative ways.
format Article
id doaj-art-af829402ac9b4701b33d37e495fd1987
institution DOAJ
issn 2624-845X
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Journal of Nanotheranostics
spelling doaj-art-af829402ac9b4701b33d37e495fd19872025-08-20T02:42:35ZengMDPI AGJournal of Nanotheranostics2624-845X2025-01-0161310.3390/jnt6010003From Traditional Nanoparticles to Cluster-Triggered Emission Polymers for the Generation of Smart Nanotheranostics in Cancer TreatmentCristina Blasco-Navarro0Carlos Alonso-Moreno1Iván Bravo2Unidad nanoDrug, Facultad de Farmacia de Albacete, Departamento de Química Física, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, SpainUnidad nanoDrug, Facultad de Farmacia-Centro de Innovación en Química Avanzada (ORFEO-CINQA), Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Orgánica y Bioquímica, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, SpainUnidad nanoDrug, Facultad de Farmacia de Albacete, Departamento de Química Física, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, SpainNanotheranostics integrates diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities using nanoscale materials, advancing personalized medicine by enhancing treatment precision and reducing adverse effects. Key materials for nanotheranostics include metallic nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon dots, lipid nanoparticles and polymer-based nanocarriers, each offering unique benefits alongside specific challenges. Polymer-based nanocarriers, including hybrid and superparamagnetic nanoparticles, improve stability and functionality but are complex to manufacture. Polymeric nanoparticles with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) present promising theranostic potential for cancer detection and treatment. However, challenges such as translating the AIE concept to living systems, addressing toxicity concerns, overcoming deep-tissue imaging limitations, or ensuring biocompatibility remain to be resolved. Recently, cluster-triggered emission (CTE) polymers have emerged as innovative materials in nanotheranostics, offering enhanced fluorescence and biocompatibility. These polymers exhibit increased fluorescence intensity upon aggregation, making them highly sensitive for imaging and therapeutic applications. CTE nanoparticles, crafted from biodegradable polymers, represent a safer alternative to traditional nanotheranostics that rely on embedding conventional fluorophores or metal-based agents. This advancement significantly reduces potential toxicity while enhancing biocompatibility. The intrinsic fluorescence allows real-time monitoring of drug distribution and activity, optimizing therapeutic efficacy. Despite their potential, these systems face challenges such as maintaining stability under physiological conditions and addressing the need for comprehensive safety and efficacy studies to meet clinical and regulatory standards. Nevertheless, their unique properties position CTE nanoparticles as promising candidates for advancing theranostic strategies in personalized medicine, bridging diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities in innovative ways.https://www.mdpi.com/2624-845X/6/1/3nanotheranosticsnanoparticlescluster-triggered emissionpolymerscancer
spellingShingle Cristina Blasco-Navarro
Carlos Alonso-Moreno
Iván Bravo
From Traditional Nanoparticles to Cluster-Triggered Emission Polymers for the Generation of Smart Nanotheranostics in Cancer Treatment
Journal of Nanotheranostics
nanotheranostics
nanoparticles
cluster-triggered emission
polymers
cancer
title From Traditional Nanoparticles to Cluster-Triggered Emission Polymers for the Generation of Smart Nanotheranostics in Cancer Treatment
title_full From Traditional Nanoparticles to Cluster-Triggered Emission Polymers for the Generation of Smart Nanotheranostics in Cancer Treatment
title_fullStr From Traditional Nanoparticles to Cluster-Triggered Emission Polymers for the Generation of Smart Nanotheranostics in Cancer Treatment
title_full_unstemmed From Traditional Nanoparticles to Cluster-Triggered Emission Polymers for the Generation of Smart Nanotheranostics in Cancer Treatment
title_short From Traditional Nanoparticles to Cluster-Triggered Emission Polymers for the Generation of Smart Nanotheranostics in Cancer Treatment
title_sort from traditional nanoparticles to cluster triggered emission polymers for the generation of smart nanotheranostics in cancer treatment
topic nanotheranostics
nanoparticles
cluster-triggered emission
polymers
cancer
url https://www.mdpi.com/2624-845X/6/1/3
work_keys_str_mv AT cristinablasconavarro fromtraditionalnanoparticlestoclustertriggeredemissionpolymersforthegenerationofsmartnanotheranosticsincancertreatment
AT carlosalonsomoreno fromtraditionalnanoparticlestoclustertriggeredemissionpolymersforthegenerationofsmartnanotheranosticsincancertreatment
AT ivanbravo fromtraditionalnanoparticlestoclustertriggeredemissionpolymersforthegenerationofsmartnanotheranosticsincancertreatment