Theranostics: a multifaceted approach utilizing nano-biomaterials

Abstract

Biomaterials play a vital role in targeting therapeutics. Over the years, several biomaterials have gained wide attention in the treatment and diagnosis of diseases. Scientists are trying to make more personalized treatments for different diseases, as well as discovering novel single agents that can be used for prognosis, medication administration, and keeping track of how a treatment works. Theranostics based on nano-biomaterials have higher sensitivity and specificity for disease management than conventional techniques. This review provides a concise overview of various biomaterials, including carbon-based materials like fullerenes, graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and carbon nanofibers, and their involvement in theranostics of different diseases. In addition, the involvement of imaging techniques for theranostics applications was overviewed. Theranostics is an emerging strategy that has great potential for enhancing the accuracy and efficacy of medicinal interventions. Despite the presence of obstacles such as disease heterogeneity, toxicity, reproducibility, uniformity, upscaling production, and regulatory hurdles, the field of medical research and development has great promise due to its ability to provide patients with personalised care, facilitate early identification, and enable focused treatment.

Keywords: Biomaterials; Carbon based materials; Carriers of biomaterials; Imaging modalities; Theranostics.

Fig. 1

a Magnetic nanoparticles application in diagnosis and therapeutic formulations for autoimmune arthritis and surface modification of magnetic nanoparticles by various pharmaceuticals and biotechnological agents for the creation of multifunctional nanoparticles for theranostic applications b Magnetic nanoparticles are directed towards cancer cells utilizing the magnetic hyperthermia concept, resulting in restricted heating of cancer cells and death

Fig. 2

Demonstrating the potential of polymer conjugates with optically and electrically active materials as well as radiolabelled materials in biological imaging and medication delivery

Fig. 3

a Schematic representation of carbon-based nanomaterials. Examples of the use of carbon nanostructures can also serve in cell imaging due to fluorescence in the NIR region. b Carbon nanomaterials exerted their chemosensitizing effects by increasing apoptosis and suppressing proliferation. c Combining standard chemotherapeutics with carbon-based nanomaterials is an innovative way to treat cancer that makes it less likely that the patient will become resistant to the chemotherapeutics

Fig. 4

The low-density lipoprotein receptor/scavenger receptor and the G-protein-coupled receptor-associated pathway are the primary regulators of the quantum dots endocytic pathways. Nanoparticle absorption in mammalian cells for the purposes of cancer detection and therapy and medication administration is highly influenced by the nanoparticles' surface coating, size, and charge. QDs are effective energy givers; they transmit energy to oxygen molecules, resulting in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may then cause cell damage or death

Fig. 5

Schematic representation of multifaceted application of nano-biomaterials in the field of a Viral diseases b Orthopaedics c Cardiovascular problems d Cancer