14 - Quantum dots in photodynamic therapy

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) are a new class of nanomaterials and their photophysical and photochemical properties are promising for future biological applications such as cancer diagnosis and treatment by photodynamic therapy (PDT). This chapter summarizes the progress research of QDs about their synthesis methods, photophysical and photochemical studies, in vitro and in vivo applications in PDT. Significantly, red to near-infrared (R/NIR) QDs are also preferred for both in vitro and in vivo bioimaging, cancer therapy including chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, PDT, and synergistic therapy. However, QDs are facing some challenges in practical applications. Synthesis of QDs should be green, low cost, and reproducible. NIR region emissive QDs with high quantum yield in aqueous solution are desired in vivo applications and phototherapy. It is important to develop these promising materials that will be used in many biological applications in the future. In vitro and in vivo applications for cancer treatment are limited in the literature. For this reason, it is expected that QDs will be used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases on human health.