Figure 1.

Schematic representation of different strategies to design multifunctional nanoparticles. The structure of a nanocarrier allows the incorporation of one or multiple therapeutic molecules. These NPs can be found in different sizes and shapes. NPs can be actively targeted via the attachment of targeted-specific ligands such as antibodies, antibody fragments, aptamers, and peptides at their surface. Depending on the kind of application, various compounds can be added to turn the nanocarrier into a responsive device to a specific stimulus such as temperature, pH, or magnetic and ultrasound fields. Imaging or contrast agents such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), near-infrared (NIR), and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) compounds can also be incorporated into a single platform to enable imaging and releasing of drugs from NPs. This figure has been reproduced with permission from Vieira et al. [12] © 2018, IntechOpen.