Titanate Nanotubes as a Versatile Platform for Nanomedicine
Résumé
Titanate nanotubes (TiONts) have received more and more attention since their pioneering hydrothermal synthesis. Recently they have been considered for biomedical applications but not yet as carriers of therapeutic molecules. The synthesis of TiONts with a controlled morphology has been reported and the studies have demonstrated that TiONts were internalized by cells without inducing cytotoxicity. Nevertheless, prior to their use as carriers, it was necessary to determine TiONt biodistribution which has not been reported till date. In this chapter, the preparation will be first described then the surface modification of TiONts will be exposed; once the TiONt surface is prepared molecules of interest can be grafted such as probes for optical imaging (OI) or macrocyclic chelating agents for the loading of radionuclides to allow nuclear imaging (SPECT, PET), the latter will be developed in the third part along with magnetic properties that can be implemented on TiONts by the grafting of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles. The fourth and last part will present TiONts themselves or the combination of TiONts with therapeutic molecules. Thereby this chapter covers the development of a novel versatile theranostic (for both therapeutic and diagnostic applications) TiONt-based nanomaterial for nanomedicine.