Recent advancements in 2D nanomaterials for cancer therapy

Since mechanical exfoliation of graphene in 2004, unprecedented scientific and technological advances have been achieved in the development of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials. These 2D nanomaterials exhibit various unique mechanical, physical and chemical properties on account of their ultrathin thickness, which are highly desirable for many applications such as catalysis, optoelectronics, energy storage/conversion, as well as disease diagnosis and therapeutics. In this review, we summarized recent progress on the design and fabrication of functional 2D nanomaterials capable of being applied for the cancer treatment including drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal therapy. Their anticancer mechanisms were discussed in detail, and the related safety concerns were analyzed based on current research developments. This review is expected to provide an insight in the field of 2D nanostructured materials for anticancer applications.