Peptide-based targeting strategies for simultaneous imaging and therapy with nanovectors

Over recent years, multifunctional compounds that combine diagnostic and therapeutic modalities using one unified material have been developed and designated as theranostics. These compounds provide the chance to develop individually designed therapies against various diseases to accomplish personalized medicine. In this review, theranostic agents based on nanovectors (liposomes, naposomes, micelles, polymeric micelles and micelles built around a solid core) externally modified with targeting peptides able to simultaneously carry a drug and a contrast agent are described, demonstrating that peptide-modified nanovectors can selectively carry a drug to target cells with an imaging probe co-incorporated into the nanovector to monitor therapy.