MXenes in Cancer Nanotheranostics.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• MXenes are 2D materials with exceptional properties like high surface area, conductivity, and tunable surface chemistry.
• These characteristics make them suitable for developing advanced nanostructures.
• MXene-based nanocomposites are emerging as powerful tools in nanomedicine, particularly for cancer theranostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in MXene-based nanotheranostics for cancer.
• To highlight the potential of MXenes in cancer diagnosis and therapy.
• To discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with MXene applications in oncology.

Main Methods:

• Exploration of MXene properties relevant to nanotheranostics.
• Investigation of MXene-based micro- and nanocomposites for imaging and therapy.
• Analysis of surface functionalization strategies to enhance performance.
• Review of studies on targeted drug delivery and cancer imaging.

Main Results:

• MXene-based systems offer potential for photoacoustic imaging, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal therapy.
• Functionalized MXenes demonstrate effective targeted anticancer drug delivery and tumor imaging.
• Surface engineering improves biocompatibility, targeting, and biodegradability of MXenes.
• MXenes exhibit auto-fluorescence for tracking and examination.

Conclusions:

• MXenes hold significant promise for multifunctional cancer nanotheranostics.
• Surface modification is key to optimizing MXene performance for biomedical applications.
• Challenges in fabrication, scalability, biocompatibility, and clinical translation require further investigation.