ABSTRACT
Cancer nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary area of research in science, engineering, and medicine with broad applications in molecular profiling and individualized therapy. The use of nanoparticles for drug delivery and targeting is one of the most exciting and clinically important applications of cancer nanotechnology. Indeed, significant opportunities exist at the interface between QD nanotechnology and signature biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and individualized therapy. Many of the principles used to target delivery of drugs to cancer may also be applied to target imaging and diagnostic agents to enhance detection sensitivity in medical imaging. With engineered multifunctional nanoparticles, the full in vivo potential of cancer nanotechnology in targeted drug delivery and imaging can be realized. The first direction is the design and development of nanoparticles with monofunctions, dual functions, three functions, or multiple functions. The second direction is nanoparticle molecular profiling for clinical oncology; i.e., the use of bioconjugated nanoparticle probes to predict cancer behavior, clinical outcome, treatment response, and individualize therapy.
