Table 1 Biofunctionalized CQDs, GQDs, and CDs for glioma biosensing and imaging

Localization of interleukin-13 on the surface of polyethylene glycol-modified cadmium selenide (CdSe)

Human glioma cells U251, human glioma stem cells T3691 and T387

24 nm

Binding firmly to glioma cells and Glioma initiating cells expressing the oncogenic IL13Rα2

Early tumor recurrence detection distinguishes recurrent tumors from pseudoprogression

(Sperling and Parak 1915)

Decoration of AuNP carbon nanospheres on Sulfur CQDs

Glioma cells in human serum samples

250–300 nm

Immobilization of the Angiotensin 2, increase in impedimetric sensing via pulse-induced mechanism

Ultrasensitive detection of glioma cells

(Zhou et al. 2017)

Decoration of biotinylated Aptamer 32 on the streptavidin–PEG–CdSe/ZnS QDs (SA-QDs)

U87 cell line, HUVEC cell line, U87-EGFRvIII cell line

20 nm

Penetrating BBB and binding to EGFRvIII

Detect EGFRvIII in tumor tissues, in vivo glioma imaging

(Bahadır and Sezgintürk 2016)

Decoration of CGKRK (Cys–Gly–Lys–Arg–Lys) on cadmium-free CuInSe₂/ZnS core/shell QDs

NG2-positive mouse glioma cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP–CT2A)

36 nm

Targeting the vasculature and tumor cells in glioblastoma

Deep tissue penetration of light for NIR imaging

(Liu et al. 2007)

Decoration of superparamagnetic

iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and cilengitide (CGT) on QDs

Rat glioma model

100 nm

Producing an obvious negative-contrast enhancement effect

On Glioma by magnetic resonance imaging, making tumor emitting fluorescence under MT

Guiding surgical resection of Glioma

(Ding et al. 2011)

Decoration of clinical Gd-DTPA on the surface of polymer-coated nitrogen-doped carbon nanodots

U87 cell line

30 nm

Transportation across the BBB

Dual-modal targeted MR/Fluorescence imaging of Glioma with high sensitivity and resolution

(Tang et al. 2017)

Decoration of N-isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAAM) on the surface of CDs

C6 cell line

2–3 nm

Enhancing quantum yield, improving the stability

Acting as a multicolored label for long-term cellular

Imaging with a wide dosing window

(Aswathy et al. 2010)

Decoration of 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) on the surface of polymer-coated nitrogen-doped CNDs

U251 glioma cell line

5–15 nm

Entering glioma cells in vitro via enhanced passive targeting

Mediating Glioma

fluorescence imaging

(Allen et al. 2010)

CDs derived from D-glucose and L-aspartic acid as starting materials

C6 glioma cell line

2.28 nm

Freely penetrating BBB and precisely targeting glioma tissue

Bioimaging function toward glioma cells

(Medintz et al. 2005)

Decoration of Mal–PEG–NHS and a tumor penetrating peptide (RGERPPR) on CQDs

U87 cell line

9 nm

Penetrating the tumor tissue vascular wall and targeting Glioma

Tissue imaging and targeting of brain gliomas

(Liu et al. 2016b)