Catalytic Biomaterials and Nanomedicines with Exogenous and Endogenous Activations

Catalytic therapy can concurrently enhance therapeutic efficacy and decrease side effects by converting less toxic or nontoxic endogenous substances into various highly toxic reactive species (e.g., toxic radicals) to induce cell apoptosis/necrosis, which has been exploited to combat different types of diseases. As material science and nanotechnology evolve for application in disease therapies, a variety of catalytic biomaterials and nanomedicines have been elaborately designed and synthesized to mediate catalytic reactions and/or enhance the corresponding catalytic treatment efficacy. This review systematically summarizes, outlines, and discusses the state-of-the-art advances in the development and use of catalytic biomaterials and nanomedicines in diverse biomedical applications, particularly concentrating on their endogenous activators, exogenous stimuli (e.g., light, heat, ultrasound, and magnetic field), and the integration of endogenous and exogenous triggers to improve the efficacy of biomaterial/nanomedicine-enabled catalytic treatments. The biosafety and biocompatibility of various catalytic biomaterials and nanomedicines for biomedical applications are also discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future opportunities for advancement of catalytic biomaterials and nanomedicines are highlighted, aiming to boost their early fulfillment of practical clinical applications.