Smart nanomaterials as the foundation of a combination approach for efficient cancer theranostics

Abstract

Despite numerous FDA-approved treatment and diagnostic approaches, cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide due to delayed diagnostics and the limited efficacy of treatments. The life quality of cancer patients is currently improving due to the development of nanotechnology-supported cancer diagnostics, detection, and nanomedicine for targeted drug delivery approaches investigated for cancer therapy. Considering these aspects, this comprehensive review presents the potential of smart nanomaterials (SMs) including carbon nanodots, metal-phenolic networks (MNPs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), quantum dots (QDs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), metal/metal oxide nanoparticles, and silica nanoparticles, as well as polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, amino acids, proteins, natural polysaccharides, and solid lipid nanoparticles, to manage cancer efficiently in a personalized manner. The outcomes of studies published in the last five years are critically analyzed in this review along with challenges and prospects in terms of a wide range of imaging technologies and therapeutic approaches, such as radiation responsive theranostics, magnetic responsive theranostics, drug delivery, photothermal/photodynamic therapy, and gene therapy. We believe that a novel multidisciplinary and combinational approach can be developed for early-stage cancer diagnostics and treat the diseases with efficacy using nano-based sensors, imaging agents, and pharmacologically relevant cargos. To promote research from the laboratory to clinical application, this review discusses viewpoints based on the tremendous potential of new and developing nanomaterials as a potential platform for cancer theranostics. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd