Multimodal nanovectors with a theranostic potential for cancer treatment

Targeted theranosis (diagnosis combined to therapy) strategies are intended to improve cancer treatment efficacy while decreasing side effects. Nanovectors of hybrid (organic/inorganic) structure allow to combine multiple physical and biological functions and thus are being developed as promising contrast agents for multimodal diagnosis and drug nanocarriers for therapy of cancers. We present here three types of theranostic nanovectors our group develops, all based on combination of magnetic and optical properties with biological targeting and anticancer activity. Development of these nanovectors is being made in the frame of a multidisciplinary research, including biotechnology, chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical technology, physico-chemical and biological analysis in vitro and in vivo. The rational design of our nanovectors has been confirmed by complementary techniques as leading to promising biocompatibility and theranostic potential.