Iga Arthur M, Robertson John H P, Winslet Marc C, Seifalian Alexander M
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Centre, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
J Biomed Biotechnol. 2007;2007(10):76087. doi: 10.1155/2007/76087.
Advances in nanotechnology have led to the development of novel fluorescent probes called quantum dots. Quantum dots have revolutionalized the processes of tagging molecules within research settings and are improving sentinel lymph node mapping and identification in vivo studies. As the unique physical and chemical properties of these fluorescent probes are being unraveled, new potential methods of early cancer detection, rapid spread and therapeutic management, that is, photodynamic therapy are being explored. Encouraging results of optical and real time identification of sentinel lymph nodes and lymph flow using quantum dots in vivo models are emerging. Quantum dots have also superseded many of the limitations of organic fluorophores and are a promising alternative as a research tool. In this review, we examine the promising clinical potential of quantum dots, their hindrances for clinical use and the current progress in abrogating their inherent toxicity.
纳米技术的进步推动了名为量子点的新型荧光探针的发展。量子点彻底改变了在研究环境中标记分子的过程，并正在改善前哨淋巴结定位以及体内研究中的识别。随着这些荧光探针独特的物理和化学性质被逐步揭示，早期癌症检测、快速扩散及治疗管理的新潜在方法，即光动力疗法，正在被探索。在体内模型中使用量子点进行前哨淋巴结和淋巴流动的光学及实时识别的令人鼓舞的结果正在出现。量子点也克服了有机荧光团的许多局限性，作为一种研究工具是很有前景的替代品。在本综述中，我们研究了量子点有前景的临床潜力、其临床应用的障碍以及消除其固有毒性方面的当前进展。
