Carbon dots in oncology: multifunctional nanoplatforms for diagnosis, targeted therapy, and drug discovery

Abstract

Carbon dots (CDs) are emerging nanomaterials with unique optical and biological properties that position them as highly promising candidates in precision oncology. Their small size, biocompatibility, fluorescence, and capacity for surface functionalization enable diverse applications, including tumor imaging, targeted drug delivery, gene therapy, and photothermal or photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT). CDs have demonstrated efficacy in fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), facilitating early tumor detection. As drug carriers and gene delivery systems, they offer controlled and targeted release with reduced toxicity. In addition, CDs support early-phase drug discovery by improving solubility and bioavailability, and enabling real-time tracking. Despite these promising results, their clinical translation remains limited by variability in synthesis methods and an incomplete understanding of their structure–function relationships.