Bioconjugated Quantum Dots: A Multifunctional Nanomaterial for the Early Detection of Cancer

摘要

Cancer is the leading cause of the death worldwide. About 30% of cancer death is preventable. The early detection and quantification is essential for diagnosis and prevention in the case of cancer. In the past few years cancer nanotechnology has made immeasurable strides to enable visualization, identification and quantization in biological systems, which covers a vast and diverse array of nanomateri-als. One such material is Quantum Dots (QDs). It has tunable optical properties that have proved useful in multiplexed analysis such as Biomarker detection, cell sorting and tracking, multimodality targeting and imaging of tumor. These nanocentric agents can provide essential breakthroughs in the fight against cancer. When linked with targeting ligands such as antibodies, peptides or small molecules, QDs can be used to target tumor biomarkers as well as tumor vasculatures with high affinity and specificity. In particular, we focus upon CdSe quantum dots (TOPO coated) which is proved to be a critical nutrient necessary for rapid growth and cell division when conjugated with Folate receptor a (FR a) enhances the differential specificity by targeting folate receptor (FR)-positive cancer cells. This is over expressed in epithelial malignancies and facilitates improved specificity and decrease negative side effects. The synthesis and development of state-of-the-art this Bioconjuagated QDs are examined in this issue to provide more possibilities to detect the early-stage formation of a disease or early molecular changes during diagnosis or treatment of cancer.