Carbohydrate-Based Targeting of Nanoplatforms for Cancer Theranostics

Although conventional cancer treatments such as radiotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy exist, the last few years have witnessed an approach where conventional treatments are combined with more avant-garde methods. Theranostics is the combination of two modalities-therapy and diagnosis-into a single package to address unfavorable variances in biodistribution and efficacy of therapy. Cancer theranostics, therefore, addresses the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in a combinatorial manner, and this has the potential to reduce delays, improve patient care, and ultimately provide a foundation for personalized cancer treatment. The development of several therapeutic nanoplatforms for the treatment of cancer has been made possible by nanotechnology. Carbohydrate-based nanoparticles are considered one of the most dominant macromolecules in nature that play significant roles in cancer treatment and diagnosis. Biologically, carbohydrates are non-toxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable, but their immunogenicity depends on their structure. Based on the complexity of the intended structure, carbohydrates may exhibit ease of chemical modification. This chapter provides an overview of recent developments in carbohydrate-based nanoparticles used in cancer theranostics, particularly those containing chitosan and hyaluronic acid.