Soft Matter for Biomedical Applications
Chapter 14: Smart Porous Silica–Polymer Nanomaterials for Theranostics
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Published:07 Jun 2021
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Special Collection: 2021 ebook collection
J. L. M. Gonçalves, C. Baleizão, J. P. S. Farinha, 2021. "Smart Porous Silica–Polymer Nanomaterials for Theranostics", Soft Matter for Biomedical Applications, Helena S Azevedo, João F Mano, João Borges
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The ability to simultaneously diagnose and treat disease, without the need for major intrusive treatment, such as surgery or the administration of high doses of therapeutic agents with nefarious side effects, has been a long-standing medical goal. The ideal vehicles for this job should deliver their cargo on-demand and exactly at the desired location. Such vehicles should be able to accommodate large cargo payloads of therapeutic agents(e.g., chemotherapeutics, photosensitizers, radiotherapeutics) and be traceable by the emission of light, the use of radioisotopes, or by their magnetic properties. They should also be able to target the diseased region, by...