Theranostic nanomaterials applied to the cancer diagnosis and treatment and nanotoxicity studies

Abstract

Recent advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology have expanded our ability to develop multifunctional nanostructures that combine therapeutics and diagnostics functions in a unique composite. These theranostic materials have shown to be interesting for many applications, mainly in early detection and treatment of cancer. The versatility of these structures is due the possibility of incorporation of many kinds of molecules on the nanoparticle surface, and therefore they are able to perform multiple functions. In this project, nanostructures materials containing metallic and/or magnetic nanoparticles or nanorods, polymers and recognition molecules such as aptamers and antibodies will be development. Chemotherapeutic drugs may also be incorporated to this system, allowing the delivery of these drugs directly to tumor cells and their release by magneto or photothermia. The interaction between these components will be studied using spectroscopic, microscopy and calorimetric techniques to obtain systems with high stability and well defined properties that are important for medical applications. Furthermore, we will investigate the in vitro toxicity as well as the specificity and interaction of the developed nanocomplex with tumor and healthy cells. (AU)