Multifunctional nanomaterial-mediated tumor therapeutics: enhancing efficacy and specificity

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, and its burden is rapidly increasing with the aging population. Conventional treatment methods often cause side effects such as metastasis, multidrug resistance, and damage to surrounding healthy tissues. In recent years, with the rapid development of nanotechnology, nanomaterials have been explored for tumor treatment. Due to the large specific surface area, nanomaterials have a high drug-loading capacity and an advantageous size that allows them to pass through the cell barrier. In addition, they can prolong drug residence time and prevent rapid drug decomposition. Nanomaterials can exist in various forms depending on their shape, with their use varying based on the application. Currently, the use of nanomaterials in tumor treatment often requires modification to enhance their versatility. This review summarizes the development and application of modified nanomaterial-based multifunctional tumor therapeutic agents for tumor treatment.