Applications of Carbon-based Nanomaterials in the Field of Cancer Phototherapy

Cancer poses a significant threat to global health due to its continuously rising incidence rate, high mortality rate, and recurrence rate. Nowadays, traditional cancer treatment methods have limitations, while new therapies such as phototherapy are emerging continuously. With the continuous development of science and technology, an increasing number of nanomaterials are being applied in photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy within phototherapy, bringing new opportunities for cancer treatment. Among them, carbon-based nanomaterials, including carbon quantum dots, graphene and its derivatives, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, etc., exhibit great potential in the field of cancer phototherapy because of their unique structures and properties, such as a high specific surface area and strong light absorption ability. For example, carbon quantum dots can be used to construct drug carrier systems and trigger immunogenic cell death. Graphene derivatives can enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapy. Carbon nanotubes can achieve photothermal ablation and reduce the drug resistance of tumor cells. Functionalized fullerenes can be used for photothermal treatment. However, challenges still remain, including the poor biocompatibility of nanomaterials and the limitations of phototherapy itself. In the future, developing biodegradable nanomaterials, designing multifunctional treatment platforms, and combining photothermal therapy/photodynamic therapy with other treatment methods will continue to be key research directions in the field of biomedicine.