Figure 1. Theranostic magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and tumor targeting.
A., Illustration of a MNP with different functional groups on the surface which permit molecular targeting, imaging, enhanced plasma circulation times, and/or therapy. B., Illustration of MNPs functionalized with tumor cell specific ligands binding cancer cells (large irregular cells) instead of normal cells (in pink). Internalization of MNPs is shown in cancer cells as well.