b2815 Tissue Engineering and Nanotheranostics “9.61x6.69”
102 Tissue Engineering and Nanotheranostics
resonance imaging (MRI) and phototherapy for cancers. Magnetic
nanoparticles are successfully applied as MRI contrast agents and
excited photosynthe sizers are able to produce cytotoxic reactive
oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen (^1 O 2 ) which can oxidize cellular
macromolecules leading to tumor cell ablation. In this chapter, we
provide various aspects of magnetic nanohybrid particles, specifically,
recent developments in the fabrication of complex hybrid structures,
applications of tumor-targeted MRI, photodynamic/photothermal
therapy and the outstanding challenges to these approaches.
Keywords: Magnetic nanoparticles, core–shell structures, Janus
structures, magnetic resonance imaging, photodynamic and photo-
thermal therapy.
1. Theranostics
Integration of molecular biology with nanotechnology has resulted in
a new promising research area called bionanotechnology. “Nano-
technology” is the ability to make efforts at the atomic, molecular and
supramolecular stages in order to investigate the system’s essential
properties and functions. According to biological narration, nano-
technology presents the tools and technical platforms for the explora-
tion and transformation of biological systems, whereas biology offers
bioassembled components and inspiration models to nanotechnol-
ogy.1–4 The convergence of modern biology with nanoscale science
can be understood by graphical representation shown in Fig. 1.
The advanced name of nanobiotechnology is “theranostic nano-
medicine”. It is the medicinal application of nanobiotechnology
which provides highly definite medical interference at the nanoscale
level for diagnosis is treatment or prevention of diseases. The term
“theranostic” was first coined in 2002 by John Funkhouser, the Chief
Executive Officer of PharmaNetics, as a concept of “the ability of the
material that combines the diagnostic imaging and modalities of
therapy”.^6 In other words, the expression “theranostics” was used to
describe the ongoing efforts at treatment centers to combine thera-
peutic and diagnostic abilities into a single platform and to develop
more precise, straightforward, individualized therapies for different
diseases. Thus, theranostics transports diagnostic imaging agents and
