Use of nanoparticles in cell tracing in advanced therapies: possibilities and challenges for clinical application

Introduction: Regulation and introduction of new advanced cellular technologies in clinics requires better knowledge on the used cells. One of the major challenges is the difficulty to accurately determine the mechanisms of cell activities when submitted to advanced therapies. Objective: Understand, using the cell tracking methods, the tissue distribution and the molecular response of cells exposed to advanced therapies. Methods: This work was done as an integrated review of data collected in international data-bases and of legislations concerning the clinical use of nanoparticles. Results: Nanotechnology is a very useful tool for cell tracking in vivo, and several nanoparticles have been already approved for clinical use; they can be incorporated into cells and visualized by magnetic resonance imaging. Conclusions: The perspectives on the use of nanomedicines for cellular tracking in medical clinic are promising, requiring elaboration and approval of laws, guides and norms to orient the industrial sectors, regarding the nanomaterials characterization and potential risks to human and animal health, as well as to the environment.