Insights on functionalized carbon nanotubes for cancer theranostics

作者：Lu Tang, Qiaqia Xiao, Yijun Mei, Shun He, Ziyao Zhang, Ruotong Wang, Wei Wang · 发表于：Journal of Nanobiotechnology · 年份：2021 · DOI：10.1186/s12951-021-01174-y · 被引用次数：180 · 研究领域：Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics、Graphene and Nanomaterials Applications、Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery

Despite the exciting breakthroughs in medical technology, cancer still accounts for one of the principle triggers of death and conventional therapeutic modalities often fail to attain an effective cure. Recently, nanobiotechnology has made huge advancement in cancer therapy with gigantic application potential because of their ability in achieving precise and controlled drug release, elevating drug solubility and reducing adverse effects. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), one of the most promising carbon-related nanomaterials, have already achieved much success in biomedical field. Due to their excellent optical property, thermal and electronic conductivity, easy functionalization ability and high drug loading capacity, CNTs can be applied in a multifunctional way for cancer treatment and diagnosis. In this review, we will give an overview of the recent progress of CNT-based drug delivery systems in cancer theranostics, which emphasizes their targetability to intracellular components of tumor cells and extracellular elements in tumor microenvironment. Moreover, a detailed introduction on how CNTs penetrate inside the tumor cells to reach their sites of action and achieve the therapeutic effects, as well as their diagnostic applications will be highlighted.