Bionanoparticles in cancer imaging, diagnosis, and treatment

Biological molecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids can be assembled into naturally existing nanoparticles, bacterial viruses (also called bacteriophages or phages), plant viruses, nucleic acid nanoparticles (e.g., DNA origami), protein exosomes. These bionanoparticles have their own distinct properties (including compositions, structures, shapes, functions), laying the foundation for unique applications probes cancer imaging, detectors diagnosis, therapeutics therapy. To highlight how of different explored in nanotheranostics, this review critically analyzed use treatment. Specifically, each these representative bionanoparticles, we describe its that render it powerful theranostics compared with synthetic inorganic nanoparticles. We also summarize to genetically chemically modify redesign so they gain new functions desired theranostics, tumor-seeking tumor-destructive capabilities. Finally, discussed challenges exciting field. The covered represent biomolecular assemblies theranostic applications, showcasing power disease diagnosis