Versatile applications of carbon nanostructures in cancer diagnosis and therapy

Carbon-based nanostructures have attracted significant attention over the past decades due to their unique physical properties, versatile functionalization chemistry, and biological compatibility. These nanomaterials can be categorized into graphene derivatives, fullerenes, nanotubes, nanodiamonds, and nanodots based on their morphologies. The unique properties of these structures have made them innovative therapeutic agents for targeting cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. They can be utilized in various well-established cancer treatment approaches like photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT). In addition, multifunctional carbon nanoplatforms have the potential to serve as optimal candidates for guided delivery and imaging of cancer. Thus, they can synergistically combine diagnosis and therapy into one material (nanotheranostics). This chapter summarizes the applications of carbon nanomaterials in cancer imaging and drug delivery/therapy.