Theranostic Nanomedicine for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States, as reported by the American Cancer Society. Over the past five years, the field of theranostic nanomedicine— which integrates both treatment and imaging—has emerged as a promising approach for delivering precise, timely, and personalized cancer therapies. This review highlights recent advancements in this area, primarily from the authors' research, and explores its potential medical applications. It covers fundamental principles, key characteristics, and future directions while addressing the challenges that lie ahead in theranostic nanomedicine research. Theranostic nanomedicine, an emerging field integrating diagnostics and therapy, offers a promising approach for personalized cancer treatment. By leveraging nanotechnology, theranostic agents enable real-time monitoring of treatment efficacy while delivering precise therapeutic payloads. This review discusses the latest advancements, design principles, clinical applications, and future prospects of theranostic nanomedicine in oncology.