Biomedical Applications of Quantum Dots: Overview, Challenges, and Clinical Potential

Despite the massive advancements in the nanomedicines and their associated research, their translation into clinicallyapplicable products is still below promises. The latter fact necessitates an in-depth evaluation of the current nanomedicines from a clinical perspective to cope with the challenges hampering their clinical potential. Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductors-based nanomaterials with numerous biomedical applications such as drug delivery, live imaging, and medical diagnosis, in addition to other applications beyond medicine such as in solar cells. Nevertheless, the power of QDs is still underestimated in clinics. In the current article, we review the status of QDs in literature, their preparation, characterization, and biomedical applications. In addition, the market status and the ongoing clinical trials recruiting QDs are highlighted, with a special focus on the challenges limiting the clinical translation of QDs. Moreover, QDs are technically compared to other commercially-available substitutes. Eventually, we inspire the technical aspects that should be considered to improve the clinical fate of QDs.

Automated summary

Despite advancements in nanomedicines and associated research, their translation into clinically applicable products still faces challenges. Quantum dots (QDs), a type of semiconductor-based nanomaterial, have diverse biomedical applications but are underestimated in clinics. This article reviews the status of QDs in literature, including their preparation, characterization, and biomedical applications. It also highlights the challenges limiting the clinical translation of QDs and compares QDs to other commercially-available substitutes. Technical aspects that could improve the clinical fate of QDs are discussed.