Smart nanoconstructs for theranostics in cancer and cardiovascular diseases

The last 40 years have witnessed the rapid development of novel strategies to enhance the systemic administration of molecular agents for therapy and imaging. As such, “drug delivery” has become one of the most challenging and scientifically advanced fields of research. Nanoparticles for the systemic delivery of therapeutic and contrast agents have been tested in preclinical studies for the cure and early detection of cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases [1–4]. Compared to conventional molecular agents, drug delivery systems can offer several advantages. Nanoparticles can improve the bioavailability, biodistribution, and longevity in the circulation of the carried molecules. Furthermore, they offer the opportunity of preserving, over long times, the tissue concentration of the drug molecules within proper therapeutic ranges and protect them from enzymatic degradation [5]. Overall, these improvements allow for an enhancement in drug accumulation at the biological target and a reduction of the off-site effects, as compared to the freely administered molecular formulation. In this chapter, first the design and fabrication of polymeric nanoconstructs for the smart delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents will be presented. Then, the role of multimodal imaging and theranostics will be reviewed providing examples available in the open literature and produced by the authors. Finally, the role of in vitro testing and in silico computational modeling in the optimization of polymeric nanoconstructs will be assessed