Advances in the application of quantum dots in tumor markers investigation / 中国癌症杂志

ABSTRACT

Tumor markers have been of vital importance in cancer diagnosis and treatment.However,the sensitivity of tumor markers for early diagnosis is low and can not be widely used.Quantum dots are new fluorescent nanoparticles with unique photophysical and chemical properties,thus having a great potential impact on cancer pathogenesis,early diagnosis,targeted therapy,prognosis and monitoring by combining with tumor marker.The current research is focused on the detection of specific tumor markers or molecules based on tangible carriers such as cells and tissues.One of the most promising clinical applications would be to explore the potential of this highly sensitive labeling technique for the detecting and imagining of tumor markers in serum and other body fluids,where some progress has already been made recently.How to detect early cancer based solely on invisible carriers would be the next step of quantum dots bio-probes in clinical use,so as to develop a new detection technique with greater sensitivity,specificity,rapidity and convenience.