Designing bioresponsive nanocarriers for controlled and efficient intracellular drug release for cancer therapy is a major thrust area in nanomedicine. With recent recognition by the US FDA as a safe material for human trials, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) are being extensively explored as promising theranostic agents. Green fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs), though known as possible alternatives for their more toxic and relatively less efficient predecessors, are less known as gate keepers for drug release control. We report for the first time an efficient bioresponse of CQDs when judiciously designed using glutathione cleavable (redox responsive) disulphide bonds. When the anticancer drug doxorubicin loaded MSNPs are capped with these CQDs, they display promising drug release control on exposure to a mimicked intracellular cancer environment. Their dual functionality is well established with good control on preventing the premature release and exceptional bio-imaging of HeLa cancer cells. Fluorescence images prove selective targeting of HeLa cells by overexpression of folate receptors from the surface functionalised folic acid ligand. Extensive characterisation using XRD, TEM, BET analysis, drug loading tests, drug release kinetics, MTT assay and fluoroscence cell imaging helps in understanding the multifunctionalities of the successful design, extending its scope with exciting prospects towards non-invasive targeted drug delivery and bio-imaging for effective cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has dramatically challenged the healthcare system of almost all countries. The authorities are struggling to minimize the mortality along with ameliorating the economic downturn. Unfortunately, until now, there has been no promising medicine or vaccine available. Herein, we deliver perspectives of nanotechnology for increasing the specificity and sensitivity of current interventional platforms toward the urgent need of quickly deployable solutions. This review summarizes the recent involvement of nanotechnology from the development of a biosensor to fabrication of a multifunctional nanohybrid system for respiratory and deadly viruses, along with the recent interventions and current understanding about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Developing a nanotheranostic agent with better image resolution and high accumulation into solid tumor microenvironment is a challenging task. Herein, we established a light mediated phototriggered strategy for enhanced tumor accumulation of nanohybrids. A multifunctional liposome based nanotheranostics loaded with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and emissive graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were engineered named as NFGL. Further, doxorubicin hydrochloride was encapsulated in NFGL to exhibit phototriggered chemotherapy and functionalized with folic acid targeting ligands. Encapsulated agents showed imaging bimodality for in vivo tumor diagnosis due to their high contrast and emissive nature. Targeted NFGL nanohybrids demonstrated near infrared light (NIR, 750 nm) mediated tumor reduction because of generated heat and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Moreover, NFGL nanohybrids exhibited remarkable ROS scavenging ability as compared to GQDs loaded liposomes validated by antitumor study. Hence, this approach and engineered system could open new direction for targeted imaging and cancer therapy.

A successful design of a novel red fluorescent carbon dots liposomal nanopitchers for deep tissue visualization and on demand phototriggered combined cancer therapy. The laser irradiation produces heat and reactive oxygen species that cause cancer cell death and tumor growth inhibition.

Selective tissue visualization and localized tumor regression without affecting the surrounding healthy tissues are critical concerns in cancer nanomedicine. Importantly, the complete wrapping of a flimsy matrix like liposome by multifunctional graphene oxide is an interesting engineering idea for nanomedicine design. Moreover, designing a safe and biodegradable nanohybrid with significant theranostic ability is a current need for targeted combined therapies. Here, we report a comprehensive result of in vivo tumor diagnosis and phototriggered tumor regression using a biodegradable red emissive nanotheranostic system, viz., graphene oxide flakes fortified liposome (GOF-Lipo), functionalized with folic acid (FA): GOF-Lipo-FA. Graphene oxide support enhances the stability of drug-loaded liposomes in an extracellular environment that prevents the premature release of loaded anticancer drug from the liposomal cavity. Promising outcomes of tumor regression (∼300 to 25 mm 3 ) from organized cellular and animal studies are demonstrated in this work. These studies reveal superior biocompatibility, deep intracellular localization, 4T1 breast tumor diagnosis, and long time tumor binding ability of an injected emissive nanohybrid. Overall, a single dose of designed multifunctional systems demonstrates the best tumor regression.