Emerging Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Cancer Therapy

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have drawn tremendous attention due to their unique physicochemical properties and promising applications in the fields of electronics, energy storage, and catalysis. Recently, the biomedicine community has gradually started to recognize the great potential of these nanostructured materials for biomedical applications – in particular those related to cancer therapy. In this review, we provide a brief overview of a few representative 2D nanomaterials, discuss their preparation strategies and physicochemical properties, and highlight their applications in cancer nanomedicine. We expect that this review will shed some light on the new opportunities associated with 2D nanomaterials for biomedical research.     

Recent Advances in Carbon Nanomaterials for Cancer Phototherapy

Carbon nanomaterials have received great attention from the scientific community over the past few decades because of their unique physical and chemical properties. In this minireview, we will summarize the recent progress of the use of various carbon nanomaterials in the field of cancer phototherapy. The structural characteristics of each category and the surface functionalization strategies of these nanomaterials will be briefly introduced before focusing on their therapeutic applications. Recent advances on their use in photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and combined phototherapies are presented. Moreover, a few challenges and perspectives on the development of carbon nanomaterials for future theranostics are also discussed.     

核酸适体-纳米材料复合物用于癌症的诊断与靶向治疗研究进展

因具有独特的光、电、磁、热等优异性能,纳米材料已被广泛应用于生物分析与生物医学领域。核酸适体是一类能够高亲和力和高特异性地与靶标结合的寡核苷酸序列。将核酸适体作为识别单元与纳米材料相结合,可以构建核酸适体-纳米材料复合物。近年来,在肿瘤靶向治疗方面,核酸适体-纳米材料复合物受到了人们的广泛关注。通过纳米材料与具有特异性识别能力的核酸适体的结合,核酸适体-纳米材料复合物可以为癌症治疗提供一种更有效的、低毒副作用的新策略。本文综述了核酸适体-纳米材料复合物作为药物输送载体在癌症的特异性识别与诊断及靶向治疗方面的应用。除此之外,本文还总结了核酸适体-纳米材料复合物与其他新兴技术的有效结合从而提高选择性和癌症治疗效率的相关研究进展。     

Bimetallic Nanomaterials: A Promising Nanoplatform for Multimodal Cancer Therapy

Bimetallic nanomaterials (BMNs) composed of two different metal elements have certain mixing patterns and geometric structures, and they often have superior properties than monometallic nanomaterials. Bimetallic-based nanomaterials have been widely investigated and extensively used in many biomedical fields especially cancer therapy because of their unique morphology and structure, special physicochemical properties, excellent biocompatibility, and synergistic effect. However, most reviews focused on the application of BMNs in cancer diagnoses (sensing, and imaging) and rarely mentioned the application of the treatment of cancer. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive perspective on the recent progress of BNMs as therapeutic agents. We first introduce and discuss the synthesis methods, intrinsic properties (size, morphology, and structure), and optical and catalytic properties relevant to cancer therapy. Then, we highlight the application of BMNs in cancer therapy (e.g., drug/gene delivery, radiotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, enzyme-mediated tumor therapy, and multifunctional synergistic therapy). Finally, we put forward insights for the forthcoming in order to make more comprehensive use of BMNs and improve the medical system of cancer treatment.     

Polyoxometalate-Based Nanomaterials Toward Efficient Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

As an emerging class of inorganic metal oxides, organically functionalized polyoxometalates (POMs) or POM-based nanohybrids have been demonstrated promising potential for the inhibition of various cancer types by the virtue of their diversity in structures and significantly reduced toxicity. This contribution summarizes the latest achievement of POM-based nanomaterials in cancer diagnosis and various therapeutics to put forward our fundamental viewpoints on the design principles of modified POMs based on their application. In addition, major challenges and perspectives in this field are also discussed. We expect that this review will provide a valuable and systematic reference for the further development of POM-based nanomaterials.     

The Application of Carbon Nanomaterials in Sensing,Imaging, Drug Delivery and Therapy for Gynecologic Cancers: An Overview

Gynecologic cancers are one of the main health concerns of women throughout the world, and the early diagnosis and effective therapy of gynecologic cancers will be particularly important for the survival of female patients. As a current hotspot, carbon nanomaterials have attracted tremendous interest in tumor theranostics, and their application in gynecologic cancers has also been developed rapidly with great achievements in recent years. This Overview Article summarizes the latest progress in the application of diverse carbon nanomaterials (e.g., graphenes, carbon nanotubes, mesoporous carbon, carbon dots, etc.) and their derivatives in the sensing, imaging, drug delivery, and therapy of different gynecologic cancers. Important research contributions are highlighted in terms of the relationships among the fabrication strategies, architectural features, and action mechanisms for the diagnosis and therapy of gynecologic cancers. The current challenges and future strategies are discussed from the viewpoint of the real clinical application of carbon-based nanomedicines in gynecologic cancers. It is anticipated that this review will attract more attention toward the development and application of carbon nanomaterials for the theranostics of gynecologic cancers.     

纳米材料在肿瘤光动力治疗中的研究进展

光动力治疗是新兴的非侵入性癌症治疗方法。纳米材料以其独特的结构以及光物理、光化学性质成为可用于光动力治疗的光敏剂。根据纳米材料的不同种类,分别对无机非金属纳米材料、无机金属纳米材料、有机小分子纳米材料以及有机聚合物纳米材料等的构建策略及其在光动力治疗肿瘤中的应用进行综述。展望了纳米材料在未来肿瘤光动力治疗中的挑战和发展方向。为新一代纳米光敏剂的构建提供创新思路,并扩展其在癌症治疗中的潜力。     

用于肿瘤综合治疗的无机纳米材料

无机纳米材料以其独特的纳米特性,在以肿瘤为代表的多种疾病的诊疗一体及综合治疗中具有越来越广泛的应用。本文重点关注该领域代表性的三类材料：超顺磁性氧化铁纳米粒、上转换纳米粒以及贵金属纳米粒,它们分别具有优异的磁学性能、光学性能及热性能,归纳总结了它们在体外检测、活体成像、药物输送以及靶向治疗等方面的应用及其优势与劣势,希望为发展生物相容性更好、诊疗效果更佳的无机纳米材料提供更好参考和建议,促进无机纳米材料的临床转化。     

溶剂热法合成碳纳米材料

本文综述了溶剂热法合成多种碳纳米管、纳米电缆、纳米棒、纳米球和纳米空心锥的研究现状。350 ℃下用金属钾还原六氯代苯,在用不同催化剂时,可分别得到碳纳米管和碳球,碳球的形成可以解释为石墨层的微条卷曲而成。600 ℃下金属镁还原乙醇得到了竹节状和Y-型碳纳米管。500 ℃下还原四氯化碳和碳酸钠可得到平均直径为100 nm的碳纳米管。700 ℃下金属锌还原乙醚制成了左右螺旋型交织的碳纳米管。在硫的存在下,200 ℃以下二茂铁热解成非晶碳纳米管和Fe/非晶碳纳米同轴电缆。     

Recent Applications of Carbon Nanomaterials for microRNA Electrochemical Sensing

MicroRNA (miRNA) is an important tumor marker in the human body, and its early detection has a great influence on the survival rate of patients. Although there are many detection methods for miRNA at present such as northern blotting, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, microarrays, and others, electrochemical biosensors have the advantages of low detection cost, small instrument size, simple operation, non-invasive detection and low consumption of reagents and solvents, and thus they play an important role in the early detection of cancer. In addition, with the development of nanotechnology, nano-biosensors show great potential. The application of various nanomaterials in the development of electrochemical biosensor has greatly improved the detection sensitivity of electrochemical biosensor. Among them, carbon nanomaterials which have unique electrical, optical, physical and chemical properties have attracted increasing attention. In particular, they have a large surface area, good biocompatibility and conductivity. Therefore, carbon nanomaterials combined with electrochemical methods can be used to detect miRNA quickly, easily and sensitively. In this review, we systematically review recent applications of different carbon nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, graphene and its derivatives, graphitic carbon nitride, carbon dots, graphene quantum dots and other carbon nanomaterials) for miRNA electrochemical detection. In addition, we demonstrate the future prospects of electrochemical biosensors modified by carbon nanomaterials for the detection of miRNAs, and some suggestions for their development in the near future.     

Two‐Dimensional Nanomaterials for Photothermal Therapy

Two‐dimensional (2D) nanomaterials are currently explored as novel photothermal agents because of their ultrathin structure, high specific surface area, and unique optoelectronic properties. In addition to single photothermal therapy (PTT), 2D nanomaterials have demonstrated significant potential in PTT‐based synergistic therapies. In this Minireview, we summarize the recent progress in 2D nanomaterials for enhanced photothermal cancer therapy over the last five years. Their unique optical properties, typical synthesis methods, and surface modification are also covered. Emphasis is placed on their PTT and PTT‐synergized chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy. The major challenges of 2D photothermal agents are addressed and the promising prospects are also presented.     

Flower-Shaped Carbon Nanomaterials for Highly Efficient Solar-Driven Water Evaporation

Solar-driven interface water evaporation is an energy-saving, environmentally friendly, and efficient seawater desalination and wastewater treatment technology. However, some challenges still restrict its further industrial development, such as its complex preparation, heavy metal pollution, and insufficient energy utilization. In this study, a photothermal layer based on flower-shaped carbon nanoparticles is presented for highly efficient solar-driven interface evaporation for water treatment applications. The results show that the surface of the prepared carbon nanomaterials presents a flower-shaped structure with an excellent light absorption capacity and a large specific surface area. Moreover, the C-5.4 (Carbon-5.4) sample has an evaporation rate of 1.87 kg/m²/h and an evaporation efficiency of 87%—far higher than most photothermal materials. In addition, carbon nanomaterials have an excellent ion scavenging capacity, dye purification capacity, and outdoor practical performance. This study provides a new solution for the application of carbon nanomaterials in the field of water purification.     

Conjugated Polymer Nanomaterials for Phototherapy of Cancer

Due to the excellent properties including high specificity,low side-effect and good biocompatibility,conjugated polymer nanomaterials have been served as efficient anticancer reagents in die past decades.According to the developed anticancer systems based on conjugated polymer nanomaterials,it could be summarized into three main cancer therapy strategies:photodynamic therapy(PDT),photothermal therapy(PTT)and combination therapy.In this mini review,we provide a brief introduction to three different cancer therapy modes,their mechanisms and potential biological applications.Furthermore,some perspectives on the further development of conjugated polymer nanomaterials are proposed in the territory of anticancer precision medicine.     

Putting Hybrid Nanomaterials to Work for Biomedical Applications

Hybrid nanomaterials have found use in many biomedical applications. This article provides a comprehensive review of the principles, techniques, and recent advancements in the design and fabrication of hybrid nanomaterials for biomedicine. We begin with an introduction to the general concept of material hybridization, followed by a discussion of how this approach leads to materials with additional functionality and enhanced performance. We then highlight hybrid nanomaterials in the forms of nanostructures, nanocomposites, metal–organic frameworks, and biohybrids, including their fabrication methods. We also showcase the use of hybrid nanomaterials to advance biomedical engineering in the context of nanomedicine, regenerative medicine, diagnostics, theranostics, and biomanufacturing. Finally, we offer perspectives on challenges and opportunities.     

基于碳纳米材料的毛细管电色谱固定相研究进展

碳纳米材料由于其具有独特的纳米结构、大的比表面积、较强的热稳定性、良好的导电性以及较好的吸附性能等物理化学性质,因而在分析科学、生命科学、材料科学及环境科学等领域得广泛的应用.结合国内外最新文献,对近5年来碳纳米材料在毛细管电色谱新型固定相的制备研究方面进展进行了评述,包括毛细管电色谱的分类及分离机理、毛细管电色谱柱的制备方法和优缺点,碳纳米材料(石墨烯、碳纳米管、氧化石墨烯、还原氧化石墨烯、富勒烯)的结构性质及制备方法、碳纳米材料在毛细管电色谱柱固定相中的应用及作用机理等,并对其在色谱应用领域的方向进行了展望.     

碳纳米材料及其在多相催化中的应用

碳纳米材料（包括零维、一维、二维碳纳米材料以及碳纳米孔材料）是一类新型的催化剂或催化剂载体材料,在氧化脱氢、选择加氢、合成氨、氨分解制氢以及燃料电池等多相催化领域具有广阔的应用前景。本文综述了近年来新型碳纳米材料在多相催化领域中的应用研究进展,介绍了这类催化材料的制备方法,重点阐述了碳载体的微/介观结构、掺杂、电子性质、表面性质、限域效应等对所担载的催化活性组分的分散,对反应物的扩散以及对催化反应的活性和选择性等方面的影响。     

新型碳纳米材料在电化学中的应用

由于碳纳米材料具有良好的力学、电学及化学性能而被人们广泛研究,特别是对于具有大比表面积、高的电导率和良好生物相容性的碳纳米管、碳纳米纤维和石墨烯更是研究的热点。这些新型碳材料具有许多优异的物理和化学特性,被广泛地应用于诸多领域,特别是在电化学领域中显示出其独特的优势。本文主要阐述了碳纳米材料在电化学领域包括生物传感器、超级电容器和燃料电池中的应用。碳纳米材料由于高的比表面积和其较好的生物相容性,在生物电催化反应中起着重要作用,能够提高酶的直接电子传递速率,因而基于碳纳米材料构建的生物传感器灵敏度高、线性范围宽、重复性和稳定性能好。碳纳米材料是超级电容器研究最早和最成熟的一种,由其制备的超级电容器循环稳定性好,再通过和一些赝电容型电极材料复合,可使其比电容得到提高。另外,碳纳米材料作为燃料电池中的催化剂,能够提高燃料电池的能量密度、燃料利用率和抗中毒能力。     

Heteroatom-Doped Metal-Free Carbon Nanomaterials as Potential Electrocatalysts

In recent years, heteroatom-incorporated specially structured metal-free carbon nanomaterials have drawn huge attention among researchers. In comparison to the undoped carbon nanomaterials, heteroatoms such as nitrogen-, sulphur-, boron-, phosphorous-, etc., incorporated nanomaterials have become well-accepted as potential electrocatalysts in water splitting, supercapacitors and dye-sensitized solar cells. This review puts special emphasis on the most popular synthetic strategies of heteroatom-doped and co-doped metal-free carbon nanomaterials, viz., chemical vapor deposition, pyrolysis, solvothermal process, etc., utilized in last two decades. These specially structured nanomaterials’ extensive applications as potential electrocatalysts are taken into consideration in this article. Their comparative enhancement of electrocatalytic performance with incorporation of heteroatoms has also been discussed.     

Rational Chemical Multifunctionalization of Graphene Interface Enhances Targeted Cancer Therapy

The synthesis of a drug delivery platform based on graphene was achieved through a step‐by‐step strategy of selective amine deprotection and functionalization. The multifunctional graphene platform, functionalized with indocyanine green, folic acid, and doxorubicin showed an enhanced anticancer activity. The remarkable targeting capacity for cancer cells in combination with the synergistic effect of drug release and photothermal properties prove the great advantage of a combined chemo‐ and phototherapy based on graphene against cancer, opening the doors to future therapeutic applications of this type of material.     

Design of Photosensitizing Agents for Targeted Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy

Photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms has gained substantial attention due to its unique mode of action, in which pathogens are unable to generate resistance, and due to the fact that it can be applied in a minimally invasive manner. In photodynamic therapy (PDT), a non-toxic photosensitizer (PS) is activated by a specific wavelength of light and generates highly cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide (O²⁻, type-I mechanism) or singlet oxygen (¹O₂*, type-II mechanism). Although it offers many advantages over conventional treatment methods, ROS-mediated microbial killing is often faced with the issues of accessibility, poor selectivity and off-target damage. Thus, several strategies have been employed to develop target-specific antimicrobial PDT (aPDT). This includes conjugation of known PS building-blocks to either non-specific cationic moieties or target-specific antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides, or combining them with targeting nanomaterials. In this review, we summarise these general strategies and related challenges, and highlight recent developments in targeted aPDT.