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Journal of Nanotheranostics

Journal of Nanotheranostics is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on nanotheranostics published quarterly online by MDPI.

All Articles (104)

Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) is a cutting-edge noninvasive imaging technique that offers high sensitivity, quantitative accuracy, and operates without the need for ionizing radiation compared to other imaging techniques. Utilizing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as tracers, MPI enables direct and precise visualization of target sites with no limitation on imaging depth. Unlike magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which relies on uniform magnetic fields to produce anatomical images, MPI enables direct, background-free visualization and quantification of SPIONS within living organisms. This article provides an in-depth overview of MPI’s applications in tracking tumor development and supporting cancer therapy. The distinct physical principles that underpin MPI, including its ability to produce high-contrast images devoid of background tissue interference, facilitating accurate tumor identification and real-time monitoring of treatment outcomes, are outlined. The review outlines MPI’s advantages over conventional imaging techniques in terms of sensitivity and resolution, and examines its capabilities in visualizing tumor vasculature, tracking cellular movement, evaluating inflammation, and conducting magnetic hyperthermia treatments. Recent progress in tracer optimization and magnetic navigation has expanded MPI’s potential for targeted drug delivery, along with deep machine learning procedures for MPI applications. Additionally, considerations around safety and the feasibility of clinical implementation are also discussed in the present review. Overall, MPI is positioned as a promising tool in advancing cancer diagnostics, personalized therapy assessment, and noninvasive treatment strategies.

5 November 2025

Principles and signal generation in magnetic particle imaging (MPI). (A) Schematic of the Berkeley MPI scanner setup. Image acquisition resembles projection scintigraphy, where magnetic nanoparticles traversing the field-free line (FFL) respond to an applied drive field (20 kHz, 20 mT). (B) Conceptual overview of a standard MPI scanner. Two large opposing rings generate a static selection field via d.c. currents, creating a central field-free point (FFP). The same rings also act as drive coils by superimposing a.c. currents on the d.c. field, while surrounding harmonic detection coils capture the particle response. (C) Design of an MPI system that encodes signals solely through drive fields. It incorporates dual selection field generators and three orthogonal pairs of drive coils to shift the FFP throughout the imaging volume. (D,E) Magnetization response of superparamagnetic particles. (D) Under an alternating magnetic field (H, green), the nonlinear magnetization (M, black) produces a time-dependent response (red) with distinct higher harmonics. (E) In contrast, a constant magnetic field drives the particles into saturation, yielding negligible harmonic content for image reconstruction (grey box). Reproduced with permission from Ref. [18]. Copyright 2018 American Chemical Society and from Ref. [10]. Copyright 2005 Springer Nature.

Periodontitis is a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory disease characterized by the progressive destruction of the tooth-supporting structures. Conventional therapeutic approaches, including mechanical debridement and systemic antibiotics, often fall short in achieving complete bacterial eradication or tissue regeneration, particularly in deep periodontal pockets. Nanotheranostics—an integrated platform combining diagnostics and therapeutics within a single nanosystem—holds promise in advancing periodontal care through targeted delivery, real-time disease monitoring, and site-specific therapy. This narrative review examines the potential of various nanomaterials for building nanotheranostic systems to overcome current clinical limitations, including non-specific drug delivery, insufficient treatment monitoring, and delayed intervention, and their functionalization and responsiveness to the periodontal microenvironment are discussed. Their application in targeted antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative therapy is discussed in terms of real-time monitoring of disease biomarkers and pathogenic organisms. Although nanoparticle-based therapeutics have been extensively studied in periodontitis, the integration of diagnostic elements remains underdeveloped. This review identifies key translational gaps, evaluates emerging dual-function platforms, and discusses challenges related to biocompatibility, scalability, and regulatory approval. In particular, inorganic nanomaterials exhibit potential for theranostic functions such as antimicrobial activity, biofilm disruption, immunomodulation, tissue regeneration, and biosensing of microbial and inflammatory biomarkers. Finally, we propose future directions to advance nanotheranostic research toward clinical translation. By consolidating the current evidence base, this review advocates for the development of smart, responsive nanotheranostic platforms as a foundation for personalized, minimally invasive, and precision-guided periodontal care.

3 November 2025

The homeostasis of periodontal tissue, pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis and roles of the involved cytokines. In a healthy state, local challenge and a mild host immune response are balanced. Both the commensal microbiota and mechanical stimulation caused by mastication participate in the training of local mucosal immunity. In this state, there is an appropriate number of infiltrating neutrophils in the gingival sulcus, as well as some resident immune cells in the gingival tissue, including Th17 cells and innate lymphoid cells. However, if the immune pathogenicity of the local microbiota is elevated by the colonization of keystone pathogens, which over-activate the host immune response, tissue destruction is initiated. The interaction between the microbiota and all host cells leads to the first wave of cytokine secretion (1), which mainly participates in the amplification of the proinflammatory cytokine cascade and the recruitment, activation and differentiation of specific immune cells. In addition, a group of cytokines (2) closely related to the differentiation of a specific subset of lymphocytes are secreted by MNPs and APCs after stimulation by the microbiome. Each of these cell subsets secretes a certain pattern of cytokines, which might act as the positive-feedback factor or direct effector (3), eventually leading to tissue destruction. Reproduced from [22]; Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International CC BY 4.0 Licence.

Viral diseases remain a persistent threat to global health, agriculture, and biodiversity, as demonstrated by recent pandemics. The high mutation rates, diversity, and intricate replication mechanisms within a host can often challenge conventional detection and therapeutic approaches. The emergence of novel viruses underscores the critical importance of innovative and multidisciplinary strategies to outpace these diseases. In this context, nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative frontier, offering unique tools to address the limitations of traditional virology. This review examines the latest nanotechnological innovations designed to combat viral diseases. Like the development of advanced nanoplatforms, metallic and polymeric nanostructures, and carbon-based materials, and evaluating their roles in viral theranostics. This article provides critical biomedical insights into the function and relationship of nanomaterials, mechanisms of action, and their interaction with biological systems. This work aims to provide a valuable resource for guiding future research toward the clinical translation of nanomaterial-based strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of viral infections.

1 November 2025

Types of nanoparticulated systems used in the diagnosis of viral infections.

The integration of nanotheranostics into cancer treatment represents a transformative shift in oncology, combining precision diagnostics with targeted therapeutic interventions. This manuscript explores the advancements in nanotechnology-driven cancer therapies, highlighting the role of engineered nanoparticles, such as liposomes, dendrimers, polymeric micelles, and virus-like particles, in enhancing drug delivery, real-time imaging, and tumor-specific targeting. Additionally, emerging therapies, including immunotherapy, gene editing, and chromophore-assisted light inactivation (CALI), are discussed in the context of personalized medicine. The convergence of these strategies is poised to redefine cancer treatment paradigms, improving therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. This review outlines the key challenges, current limitations, and future directions in nanotheranostic applications, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize their clinical translation.

23 October 2025

Nanotheranostics overview: A schematic representation of nanomaterial-based approaches in cancer diagnostics and therapy, including liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, virus-like particles (VLPs), and gold nanoparticles. Each nanomaterial offers distinct advantages in drug delivery, imaging, immune modulation, and targeted therapy, enhancing precision in oncology treatments.

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New Challenges in Ocular Drug Delivery
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New Challenges in Ocular Drug Delivery

Editors: Rosario Pignatello, Hugo Almeida, Debora Santonocito, Carmelo Puglia

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J. Nanotheranostics - ISSN 2624-845XCreative Common CC BY license