The role of quantum dots in enhancing the therapeutic targeting of cancer stem cells

Abstract

In recent years, cancer stem cells have emerged as an interesting field in oncology due to their metastatic and resistance potential to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, thus resulting in the resurfacing of cancer even after multiple treatment attempts. The interest in these cells aims to address the key challenges associated with cancer treatments and to offer insights that may aid in better understanding the biology of cancer, with the possibility of introducing advanced or novel treatment methods. Conventional treatments often fail to eradicate the cancer stem cells, which then results in the resurfacing of this gruesome disease called cancer. An advanced therapeutic treatment using quantum dots has emerged as a potential treatment for cancer cells and their resistant cancer stem cells. Quantum dots are semiconducting light particles used in research areas such as photodynamic therapy for the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. These particles are only a few nanometres in size, can be tuned to a specific wavelength, have excellent optical properties, and can generate reactive oxygen species upon their exposure to light, thus making them attractive therapeutic targets for anticancer treatment. In this review, we focus on providing a comprehensive overview of cancer stem cells and introducing the role of quantum dots in addressing key limitations associated with conventional treatment modalities aimed at eradicating cancer.