Abstract
Nanomaterials have been demonstrated as useful tools for molecular imaging, molecular diagnosis and targeted therapy in biomedical research. The main advantages of such nanomaterials are improved circulation times, precise targeting, enhancement of dissolution rates and enhanced contrast. A challenge and opportunity for nanotechnological strategies is that multiple functionalities, such as therapeutics, targeting, imaging and stimuli responsiveness can be achieved within one nanoparticle. Multifunctional nanoparticles are now actively under investigation and are imminent as the next generation of nanoparticles for providing custom and tailored treatment. This review considers contemporary approaches and possible future directions in the emerging area of multifunctional nanoparticles with a special focus on targeted drug delivery.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors would like to acknowledge financial support from the NSF under the NSF NIRT Center on Nanoparticle Formation at Princeton University, and the BASF Company. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.