Recent developments in two-dimensional molybdenum disulfide-based multimodal cancer theranostics

Recent advancements in cancer research have led to the generation of innovative nanomaterials for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Despite the proven potential of two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) as a versatile platform in biomedical applications, few review articles have focused on MoS₂-based platforms for cancer theranostics. This review aims to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in 2D MoS₂ cancer theranostics and emerging strategies in this field. This review highlights the potential applications of 2D MoS₂ in single-model imaging and therapy, including fluorescence imaging, photoacoustic imaging, photothermal therapy, and catalytic therapy. This review further classifies the potential of 2D MoS₂ in multimodal imaging for diagnostic and synergistic theranostic platforms. In particular, this review underscores the progress of 2D MoS₂ as an integrated drug delivery system, covering a broad spectrum of therapeutic strategies from chemotherapy and gene therapy to immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy. Finally, this review discusses the current challenges and future perspectives in meeting the diverse demands of advanced cancer diagnostic and theranostic applications.