Prospects and challenges of synergistic effect of fluorescent carbon dots, liposomes and nanoliposomes for theragnostic applications

The future of molecular-level therapy, efficient medical diagnosis, and drug delivery relies on the effective theragnostic function which can be achieved by the synergistic effect of fluorescent carbon dots (FCDs) liposomes (L) and nanoliposomes. FCDs act as the excipient navigation agent while liposomes play the role of the problemsolving agent, thus the term "theragnostic" would describe the effect of LFCDs properly. Liposomes and FCDs share some excellent at-tributes such as being nontoxic and biodegradable and they can represent a potent delivery system for pharmaceutical compounds. They enhance the therapeutic efficacy of drugs via stabilizing the encapsulated material by circumventing barriers to cellular and tissue uptake. These agents facilitate long-term drug biodistribution to the intended locations of action while eliminating systemic side effects. This manuscript reviews recent progress with liposomes, nanoliposomes (collectively known as lipid vesicles) and fluorescent carbon dots, by exploring their key characteristics, applications, characterization, performance, and challenges. An extensive and intensive understanding of the synergistic interaction between liposomes and FCDs sets out a new research pathway to an efficient and theragnostic / theranostic drug delivery and targeting diseases such as cancer.