Tungsten Disulfide Nanocomposites in Cancer Theranostics: Photothermal Therapy, Drug Delivery, and Bioimaging

Nanotechnology has revolutionized the development of innovative medical and biological tools. Among these, tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanomaterials, part of the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) family, have garnered significant attention in cancer theranostics. This review synthesizes cutting-edge advances in WS₂-based systems, spotlighting their unparalleled photothermal conversion efficiency (the temperature reaches >50°C in <5 min under NIR), pH-responsive drug-loading capacity (reaches ~ 95% efficiency), and bioimaging capabilities This study pioneers the development of WS₂ nanocomposites for dual-modal cancer theranostics, achieving ~ 85% tumor reduction in vivo through synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT) and pH-responsive drug delivery. Unlike conventional transition metal dichalcogenides, WS₂ nanosheets exhibit exceptional biocompatibility (>90% cell viability) and deep-tumor penetration, enabling combinatorial photothermal-chemotherapy with 80% tumor suppression in vivo. We critically dissect innovative designs—from Au-lipid hybrids to dendrimer-functionalized nanocomposites—that overcome multidrug resistance and systemic toxicity. Further, we unveil WS₂’s catalytic enzyme activity, scavenging ROS with 90% efficiency, and its role in real-time imaging via X-ray attenuation. By addressing scalability challenges and charting a roadmap for clinical translation, this work positions WS₂ as a next-generation theranostic tool poised to redefine precision oncology.