Recent advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of Ceria Nanozymes

Ceria nanozymes (NZs) have gained a lot of attention as new class of functional nanomaterials due to their redox activity, broad catalytic properties, and excellent biocompatibility. Recent advancements have increased their usefulness in a wide range of medicinal and diagnostic applications. In diagnostics, ceria NZs have facilitated advanced biosensing, real-time assessment of oxidative biomarkers, enhanced colorimetric and fluorometric detection platforms, and improved contrast in imaging modalities. In the therapeutic domain, progress in optimizing Ce³⁺/Ce⁴⁺ ratios, engineering oxygen vacancies, and incorporating metal dopants have enhanced their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. These advancements have enabled precise ROS modulation, microenvironment-responsive therapies, and synergistic multimodal treatment approaches. This review highlights key scientific and technological advancements that drive the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of ceria NZs, discusses ongoing challenges in stability, surface modification, and biosafety. This review also underscores the importance for future research to concentrate on enhancing the long-term stability and reproducibility of ceria NZs during large-scale production. Moreover, comprehensive in vivo biosafety and standardized methodologies are emphasized as critical elements for effective clinical translation. The literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science databases covering studies published between 2006 and 2025.