RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Theranostic Nanoparticles JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO J Nucl Med FD Society of Nuclear Medicine SP 1919 OP 1922 DO 10.2967/jnumed.114.146019 VO 55 IS 12 A1 Feng Chen A1 Emily B. Ehlerding A1 Weibo Cai YR 2014 UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/55/12/1919.abstract AB Theranostic nanoparticles hold the potential to revolutionize disease management. Over the last decade, there has been growing interest in the engineering of various kinds of theranostic nanoparticles for simultaneous cancer imaging and therapy in small animals. Efficient targeting of theranostic nanoparticles to the tumor site is critical for both diagnosis and therapy. However, difficulties still exist in the engineering of biocompatible theranostic nanoparticles with highly specific in vivo tumor-targeting capabilities. Here, we discuss the current and prospective status of theranostic nanoparticles that actively target tumors, as well as the challenges that still exist.