Theranostics based on nanoparticles (NPs) is a promising paradigm in nanomedicine. Mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based systems offer unique characteristics to enable multimodal imaging or simultaneous diagnosis and therapy. They include large surface area and volume, tunable pore size, functionalizable surface, and acceptable biological safety. Hybridization with other NPs and chemical modification can further potentiate the multifunctionality of MSN-based systems toward translation. Here, we update the recent progress on MSN-based systems for theranostic purposes. We discuss various synthetic approaches used to construct the theranostic platforms either via intrinsic chemistry or extrinsic combination. These include defect generation in the silica structure, encapsulation of diagnostic NPs within silica, their assembly on the silica surface, and direct conjugation of dye chemicals. Collectively, in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that multimodal imaging capacities can be integrated with the therapeutic functions of these MSN systems for therapy. With further improvement in bioimaging sensitivity and targeting specificity, the multifunctional MSN-based theranostic systems will find many clinical applications in the near future.
Keywords: extrinsic combination; intrinsic defect; mesoporous silica nanoparticles; multifunctional; theranostics.