Current trends in theranostic nanomedicines

Nanomedicine plays a vital role in targeting therapeutics to the desired site of action. Over the years, several nanomedicines, like monoclonal antibodies (Rituximab, Brentuximab Vedotin, Alemtuzumab, etc.), nanostructured lipid carriers, conjugated polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, polymeric micelles, quantum dots, dendrimers, protein-based nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and inorganic nanoparticles (e.g., mesoporous silica nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, calcium phosphate nanoparticles) have gained wide attention in treatment and diagnosis of diseases. In recent years, nanomedicines have been widely adopted for their imaging potential. In this context, nanomedicines are being amalgamated to a single nanomedicine (also termed nanotheranostics) for diagnosis and drug therapy. However, very few nanotheranostics succeeded in reaching the clinic. Therefore, a collective effort from doctors, pharmaceutical scientists, nanomaterial engineers, and clinicians is required to introduce the future generation of nanotheranostics into the market. In this review, authors have cross-talked about the emerging theranostic modalities (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, dendrimers, polymeric & lipid nanoparticles, and inorganic nanoparticles) for precise diagnosis and therapy of the disease.