Developing nanocrystals for cancer treatment.

Nanocrystals are carrier-free solid drug particles that are sized in the nanometer range and have crystalline characteristics. Due to high drug loading (as high as 100%) - free of organic solvents or solubilizing chemicals - nanocrystals have become attractive in the field of drug delivery for cancer treatment. Top-down and bottom-up approaches have been developed for preparing anticancer nanocrystals. In this review, preparation methods and in vivo performance of anticancer nanocrystals are discussed first, followed by an introduction of hybrid nanocrystals in cancer theranostics.