RT Journal Article ID 27d9d67e67fb2386 A1 Tripathi, S. K. A1 Kaur, Gurvir A1 Khurana, Rajneet Kaur A1 Kapoor, Sonia A1 Singh, Bhupinder T1 Quantum Dots and their Potential Role in Cancer Theranostics JF Critical Reviews™ in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems JO CRT YR 2015 FD 2015-10-27 VO 32 IS 6 SP 461 OP 502 K1 quantum dots K1 antitumor therapy K1 gene therapy K1 photodynamic therapy K1 fluorescence imaging AB The emergence of cancer nanomedicine is the result of fruitful advances in the fields of nanotechnology, bioimaging, formulation development, and molecular biology. Quantum dots (QDs) are the luminescent nanocrystals (NCs) that provide a multifunctional platform for imaging the biosystems following controlled delivery of therapeutic drugs, proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, and genes. These engineered fluorescent probes with integrated imaging and carrier functionalities have become excellent tools for molecular diagnostics and delivery of therapeutics molecules. Flexible surface chemistry, unique optical properties, high sensitivity, and multiplexing capabilities of QDs certainly make them a most promising tool for personalized medicine. This review focuses on state-of-art advances in synthesizing QDs and highlights the approaches used for functionalization of QDs with desired ligands for targeted carriage to specific sites. Discussed is the role of QDs in antitumor therapy through drug delivery and gene delivery and the recently emerged photodynamic therapy (PDT). We also endeavor to critically address the major impediments in the clinical development of these multifunctional nanoplatforms, with a special focus on plausible advancements for the near future. PB Begell House LK https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/3667c4ae6e8fd136,78016ec87377f266,27d9d67e67fb2386.html