Recent advances in graphene-family nanomaterials for effective drug delivery and phototherapy

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Owing to the unique properties of graphene, including large specific surface area, excellent thermal conductivity, and optical absorption, graphene-family nanomaterials (GFNs) have attracted extensive attention in biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery and phototherapy.

Areas covered

In this review, we point out several challenges involved in the clinical application of GFNs. Then, we provide an overview of the most recent publications about GFNs in biomedical applications, including diverse strategies for improving the biocompatibility, specific targeting and stimuli-responsiveness of GFNs for drug delivery, codelivery of drug and gene, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and multimodal combination therapy.

Expert opinion

Although the application of GFNs is still in the preclinical stage, rational modification of GFNs with functional elements or making full use of GFNs-based multimodal combination therapy might show great potential in biomedicine for clinical application.

KEYWORDS:

• Graphene
• graphene oxide
• drug delivery
• photothermal therapy
• photodynamic therapy
• stimuli-responsive carrier

Article highlights

• Graphene exhibits extraordinary physical and chemical properties, such as large specific surface area, high Young’s modulus, and fracture strength, excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, and optical absorption.

• The large specific surface area and numerous oxygen-containing functional groups endow GFNs with high cargo loading capacity and easy modifications.

• Rational modification of GFNs with diverse functional substances renders it possible to increase biocompatibility, reduce inherent toxicity, and achieve specific targeting, stimuli-responsive drug delivery, codelivery of drug and gene, and photodynamic therapy.

• The strong photothermal conversion capability facilitates the exploration of GFNs in the field of photothermal therapy and light-responsive drug delivery.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 81874346 and 81573611), and the Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou (grant no. 201907010018).