Advances in Nanotheranostics ― Cancer Theranostic Nanomedicine

This book surveys recent advances in theranostics based on magnetic nanoparticles, ultrasound contrast agents, silica nanoparticles and polymeric micelles. It presents magnetic nanoparticles, which offer a robust tool for contrast enhanced MRI imaging, magnetic targeting, controlled drug delivery, molecular imaging guided gene therapy, magnetic hyperthermia, and controlling cell fate. Multifunctional ultrasound contrast agents have great potential in ultrasound molecular imaging, multimodal imaging, drug/gene delivery, and integrated diagnostics and therapeutics. Due to their diversity and multifunctionality, polymeric micelles and silica-based nanocomposites are highly capable of enhancing the efficacy of multimodal imaging and synergistic cancer therapy.

This comprehensive book summarizes the main advances in multifunctional nanoprobes for targeted imaging and therapy of gastric cancer, and explores the clinical translational prospects and challenges. Although more research is needed to overcome the substantial obstacles that impede the development and availability of nanotheranostic products, such nontrivial nanoagents are expected to revolutionize medical treatments and help to realize the potential of personalized medicine to diagnose, treat, and follow-up patients with cancer.

Zhifei Dai is a Professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, China.

Prof. Zhifei Dai obtained his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the Institute of Photographic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences in 1998. From 1999 to 2005, he worked at the School of Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin University in Japan, Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Germany, and the School of Medicine, Emory University in USA, respectively. In March 2005, he became a Professor at the School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, China. In May 2012, he moved to the Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, China. His research focuses on the multifunctional nanoparticles for drug delivery and contrast enhanced imaging. He is a member of editorial board for several international and national journals such as Bioconjugate Chemistry, Theranostics, Journal of Interdisciplinary Nanomedicine, IET Nanobiotechnology, BioMed International Research, Chinese Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and so on. He is now a standing committee member of China Association of Medical Ultrasound Equipment and Chinese Association of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, an executive member of the council of Chinese Society for Functional Materials, and a committee member of the Acoustic Society of China. He received many honors and awards including National Natural Science Fund for Outstanding Young Researcher, New Century Talents of Chinese Ministry of Education, Longjiang Scholar Distinguished Professor, and the First Prize of the Natural Science Award of Heilongjiang Province.