Title:An Overview on the Pharmacokinetics of Quantum Dots
VOLUME: 14 ISSUE: 8
Author(s):Xianwei Meng, Li Qiang and Jianfei Wei
Affiliation:Laboratory of Controllable Preparation and Application of Nanomaterials, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, People’s Republic of China.
Keywords:Quantum dots, pharmacokinetics, nanoparticles, preparation, quantification.
Abstract:Recent developments in nanotechnology have paved the way for using quantum dots (QDs) in nanodiagnostics and nanotherapeutics.
Careful design and preparation of QDs are guided by these application-specific requirements. QDs will probably be one of the
first nanomaterial to reach clinical applications, however many challenges in this field have yet to be overcome. In this article, we present
an extensive review of the pharmacokinetic properties of QDs. The representative studies responsible for observing quantitative determination
of QDs biodistribution in vivo are presented. The effects of size, surface chemistry, and target moiety on their pharmacokinetics
are discussed. Finally, future directions for improving the pharmacokinetics of QDs and perspectives in the field are discussed. The understanding
of its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion from the body will provide important guidelines for the successful
clinical use of QDs.
