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ZnO-Based Quantum Dots for Biosensing, Cancer Imaging and Therapy: An Overview

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Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. The earlier detection via targeted and sustained imaging for cancer diagnosis can significantly improve the situation. Tremendous efforts are currently underway to utilize unique properties of semiconducting nanocrystals or quantum dots (QDs) in biological imaging. Particularly, ZnO-based QDs are attractive because they are envisaged to enhance the penetration depth of light into the endogenous substance in view of being water dispersible. Besides, they offer numerous tunable features in terms of their optical behavior thereby leading to incredible scope in the areas like bio-imaging. Because of its high biocompatibility or poor cytotoxicity, ZnO QDs have slowly acquired a respectable place in bio-sensing, bio-imaging, and medication administration. Modified ZnO QDs via multiple approaches, such as doping, encapsulation, core–shell formation, surface functionalization and conjugation with polymer or other compounds, are suggested to be an effective carrier of drug at the target cells. Beginning from technological challenges, this overview presents recent developments on optical tuning and utilization of ZnO QDs for cancer imaging and their therapeutic potential.

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  1. Department of Physics, School of Basic Sciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303007, India

    Kamakhya Prakash Misra

  2. Department of Metallurgical, Materials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA

    R. D. K. Misra

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Misra, K.P., Misra, R.D.K. ZnO-Based Quantum Dots for Biosensing, Cancer Imaging and Therapy: An Overview. Biomedical Materials & Devices 1, 99–107 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44174-022-00033-0

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