Pharmaceutical Applications of Quantum Dots

Nanotechnology has been utilized in developing novel drug formulations with minimal adverse effects. Nanoparticles in a lower size range with great surface area, increased potency, and easy permeability could be an approach for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Unlike other nanoparticles, quantum dots have specific functional groups, have charges over their surface, and are extremely small in size (2-10nm), which makes them more permeable through tight junctions. Quantum dots are interesting materials that offer diagnosis and treatment concurrently. Quantum dots are reported to have several applications in pharmaceuticals as well as drug delivery, diagnosis, immunolabeling, and cell labeling tools. However, the existence of heavy metals in quantum dots such as cadmium poses a potential challenge for future medical applications, where quantum dots may be deliberately injected into the body. In this review, we are focusing on various pharmaceutical applications of quantum dots. Graphical Abstract