Advances in Magnetic Carbon Dots: A Theranostics Platform for Fluorescence/Magnetic Resonance Bimodal Imaging and Therapy for Tumors

Abstract

Theranostics technology that combines tumor diagnosis or monitoring with therapy is an important direction for the future development of tumor treatment. It takes advantage of efficiently observing tumor tissues, monitoring tumor treatment in real time, and significantly improving the cure efficiency. Magnetic carbon dots (CDs) are of wide interest as molecular imaging probes, drug carriers, photosensitizers, and radiosensitizers in the integration of tumor fluorescence/magnetic resonance bimodal diagnosis and treatment because of their small size, good optical stability, magnetic relaxation rate, and biocompatibility. This review first analyzes and compares the synthesis methods and physicochemical properties of magnetic CDs in recent years and then concludes their mechanism in tumor fluorescence/magnetic resonance bimodal imaging and therapy in details. Subsequently, the research progress of their application in tumor theranostics are summarized. Finally, the problems and challenges of magnetic CDs for development at this stage are prospected. This review provides new ideas for their controlled synthesis and application in efficient and precise therapy for tumors.

Combustion-Induced Endothermic Process in Carbon Dots Synthesized on Magnetite Nanoparticle Substrate

“…A more recent effort to explore the multifunctional potential of CDot materials has seen CDots being utilized as building blocks for the assembly of more complex nanoparticle systems [13]. A great example of multifunctionalism is the development of magnetic CDots for dual-mode imaging (fluorescence and magnetic resonance), drug delivery and tumor suppression, and in separation and purification science [8,14,15]. Of particular interest are CDots with magnetite due to their low cost and low toxicity and the biodegradable nature of the magnetite particles [16].…”