Engineering intrinsically radiolabeled nanoparticles for imaging and therapy: a decade of design strategies and insights.

Authors

Sanchita Ghosh, Rubel Chakravarty

Published in

RSC advances. Jul 03, 2026. Epub Jul 03, 2026.

Abstract

The convergence of nanotechnology and nuclear medicine has opened new possibilities for cancer imaging and therapy, but conventional chelator-based radiolabeling approaches often suffer from limited stability and can alter the inherent properties of nanomaterials. Intrinsic radiolabeling has emerged as a promising alternative, enabling the direct incorporation of radionuclides within the nanoparticle matrix through mechanisms such as lattice doping, isotopic substitution, coordination to structural sites, or entrapment during nanoparticle formation. In this approach, the radionuclide becomes an integral part of the material architecture, thereby improving radiochemical stability while preserving the intrinsic physicochemical properties of the nanomaterial. Emphasis is given to how rational design and synthetic strategies have evolved to address key challenges in stability, scalability, and biological performance. A range of nanoplatforms-including inorganic systems, protein-based hybrid nanoparticles, and biomaterial-assisted systems such as hydroxyapatite and polymers-are discussed to illustrate the diversity of approaches explored. Particular attention is devoted to methodologies such as in situ radiochemical incorporation, bioinspired synthesis, and microfluidic techniques, and their role in enabling precise control over nanoparticle characteristics and translational feasibility. The performance of these systems in imaging and therapy, including multimodal and combination treatment strategies, is critically examined alongside their biological behavior and pharmacokinetics. Finally, key challenges related to clinical translation, including reproducibility, large-scale production, and regulatory considerations, are discussed. Overall, this review provides a cohesive perspective on the evolving design strategies of intrinsically radiolabeled nanoparticles and highlights pathways toward their development as clinically relevant nanotheranostic agents.

PMID:
42405137
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 06 Jul 2026.

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