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Theranostics 2012; 2(7):681-694. doi:10.7150/thno.3692 This issue Cite

Review

Preparation of Quantum Dot/Drug Nanoparticle Formulations for Traceable Targeted Delivery and Therapy

Ken-Tye Yong^1✉, Yucheng Wang¹, Indrajit Roy², Hu Rui¹, Mark T. Swihart³, Wing-Cheung Law⁴, Sang Kyu Kwak⁵, Ling Ye⁶, Jianwei Liu⁶, Supriya D. Mahajan⁷, Jessica L. Reynolds⁷

1. School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
2. Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi-110 007, India
3. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260-4200
4. Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics (ILPB), The State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY14260, United States
5. Division of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637459
6. Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, P. R. China
7. Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, and Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York, 14203, USA

✉ Corresponding author: Dr. Ken-Tye Yong, School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798, Singapore. Email: ktyongedu.sg.

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) are luminescent nanocrystals with rich surface chemistry and unique optical properties that make them useful as probes or carriers for traceable targeted delivery and therapy applications. QDs can be functionalized to target specific cells or tissues by conjugating them with targeting ligands. Recent advancement in making biocompatible QD formulations has made these nanocrystals suitable for in vivo applications. This review provides an overview of the preparation of QDs and their use as probes or carriers for traceable, targeted therapy of diseases in vitro and in vivo. More specifically, recent advances in the integration of QDs with drug formulations for therapy and their potential toxicity in vitro and in vivo are highlighted. The current findings and challenges for optimizing QD/drug formulations with respect to optimal size and stability, short-term and long-term toxicity, and in vivo applications are described. Lastly, we attempt to predict key trends in QD/drug formulation development over the next few years and highlight areas of therapy where their use may provide breakthrough results in the near future.

Keywords: Quantum dots, Drug Nanoparticle Formulations, Targeted Delivery

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