Introduction: Luminescent quantum dots (QDs) are widely utilized in the field of biology and medicine due to their excellent optical properties. The ultimate goal of QD research is the fabrication of favorable luminescent nanoprobes or nanocarriers. However, their toxicity and pharmacokinetics, in the human body, are of crucial concern and must be thoroughly investigated before QDs are used in clinical applications.
Areas covered: This review summarizes the recent developments of toxicity and pharmacokinetics with QDs. Furthermore, the article explains the pathway of QD absorption in living systems as well as the distribution and clearance of QDs. The authors also highlight the effects of the physicochemical characteristics of QDs on the toxicity and pharmacokinetics in animals.
Expert opinion: Although the toxicity and pharmacokinetics of different luminescent QDs have been investigated, most of these studies have focused on the behaviors of II B-VI A and III A-V A QDs in rodents. Investigations of the IV A QDs are still in an early stage. One other shortcoming in the current research is the lack of different animal models, especially primates, which are needed in addition to the current rodent models.