Computed tomography (CT), a diagnostic tool with clinical application, comprehensive coverage, and low cost, is used in hospitals worldwide. However, CT imaging fails to distinguish soft tissues from normal organs and tumors because their mass attenuation coefficients are similar. Various CT contrast agents have been developed in recent years to improve the sensitivity and contrast of imaging. Here, we review the progress of nanomaterial-based CT contrast agents and their applications in image-guided therapy. The CT contrast agents are classified according to their components; gold (Au)-based, bismuth (Bi)-based, lanthanide (Ln)-based, and transition metal (TM)-based nanomaterials are discussed. CT image-guided therapy of diseases, including photothermal therapy (PPT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), chemotherapy, radiotherapy (RT), gas therapy, sonodynamic therapy (SDT), immunotherapy, starvation therapy, gene therapy (GT), and microwave thermal therapy (MWTT), are reviewed. Finally, the perspectives on the CT contrast agents and their biomedical applications are discussed.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death worldwide, which propels the development of advanced technologies for CVD diagnosis and treatment. Biomarker-responsive nanomaterials are appealing therapeutic platforms that provide new horizons for CVD theranostics. In this review, recent advances in nanomaterials with endogenous biomarkers as stimuli or targets for CVD theranostics is presented. First, the categories of biomarkers involved are comprehensively itemized based on pathological mechanisms including pH, reactive oxygen species, lipids, enzymes, macrophage receptors, subendothelium components, platelet receptors, inflammation, and osteopontin. The role of these biomarkers in bridge-building between nanomaterials and CVD is then presented. Next, the biomedical applications of nanomaterials responsive to endogenous biomarkers as stimuli or targets for the diagnosis and treatment of CVD are elaborated. Finally, the challenges and future research directions of biomarker-responsive nanomaterials in CVD are also discussed. This review will provide scientific guidance to facilitate clinical applications of biomarker-responsive nanomaterials.
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