5. Conclusion

As described in this article, nanoparticles hold great promise for oncology, in terms of both imaging and therapy. Small hybrid nanoparticles have long been sidelined because they are thought to be eliminated too quickly, and their physico-chemical characteristics are considered less attractive than those of their more massive counterparts (hyperthermia, opto-acoustic imaging, etc.). However, recent developments in the field of nanomedicine suggest that these preconceived ideas may have to be reconsidered. Indeed, rapid and total elimination via the urine is a guarantee of lower toxicity (toxicity being the main stumbling block to the development of nanoparticles), while their accumulation in the tumor is quite satisfactory due to the EPR effect. The small size of nanoparticles also seems to favor a highly effective radiosensitizing effect, even for very small quantities in the tumor. The...