Carbon Nanomaterials (CNMs) in Cancer Therapy: A Database of CNM-Based Nanocarrier Systems

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) are an incredibly versatile class of materials that can be used as scaffolds to construct anticancer nanocarrier systems. The ease of chemical functionalisation, biocompatibility, and intrinsic therapeutic capabilities of many of these nanoparticles can be leveraged to design effective anticancer systems. This article is the first comprehensive review of CNM-based nanocarrier systems that incorporate approved chemotherapy drugs, and many different types of CNMs and chemotherapy agents are discussed. Almost 200 examples of these nanocarrier systems have been analysed and compiled into a database. The entries are organised by anticancer drug type, and the composition, drug loading/release metrics, and experimental results from these systems have been compiled. Our analysis reveals graphene, and particularly graphene oxide (GO), as the most frequently employed CNM, with carbon nanotubes and carbon dots following in popularity. Moreover, the database encompasses various chemotherapeutic agents, with antimicrotubule agents being the most common payload due to their compatibility with CNM surfaces. The benefits of the identified systems are discussed, and the factors affecting their efficacy are detailed.

Automated summary

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) are a versatile class of materials that can be used to design effective anticancer systems. The first comprehensive review of CNM-based nanocarrier systems incorporating approved chemotherapy drugs is presented. A database of nearly 200 examples of these nanocarrier systems is compiled and analyzed. Graphene and graphene oxide (GO) are found to be the most commonly used CNMs, followed by carbon nanotubes and carbon dots. Antimicrotubule agents are the most common payload due to their compatibility with CNM surfaces. The identified systems and factors affecting their efficacy are discussed.