Title:Polymeric Nanogels for Theranostic Applications: A Mini-Review
VOLUME: 16 ISSUE: 3
Author(s):Vineeth M. Vijayan*, Pradipika Natamai Vasudevan and Vinoy Thomas*
Affiliation:Polymers and Healthcare/Devices Lab, Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela, Odisha 769008, Polymers and Healthcare/Devices Lab, Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233
Keywords:Theranostics, nanogel, fluorescence, imaging agent, therapeutic agent, nanoparticles.
Abstract:Theranostics is a recently emerging area in nanomedicine. Nanoparticles which can combine
both diagnostic and therapy in one single platform serve as theranostic agents. Some of the currently
explored nanoparticles are metallic nanoparticles, mesoporous silica nanoparticles, carbonbased
nanoparticles, and polymer nanogels. Polymeric nanogels are receiving considerable attention
due to their high biocompatibility and functional performance. The present review article briefly
summarizes the scopes and challenges of the state of art of using polymeric nanogels for theranostic
applications. Among the different polymer nanogels, a special emphasis is given to polymeric nanogels
with innate imaging potential.