External physical field-driven nanocatalytic cancer therapy

Abstract

Recently, variable nanocatalysts have provided novel, highly selective, minimally invasive strategies driven by external physical fields for cancer therapy. In the catalytic reaction, less toxic or nontoxic substances can be in situ converted into toxic agents for cancer suppression. In this review, we systematically summarize the catalytic cancer therapy based on different types of external physical fields, including light, ultrasound, electricity, temperature, X-ray, magnetic field, and microwave. The properties, mechanisms, and advantages of the corresponding external physical fields in cancer therapy are also introduced. Importantly, considering the rapid development of catalytic nanomedicine, the research progress of catalytic cancer therapy driven by external physical fields is discussed. Finally, the remaining challenges and outlooks that catalytic cancer therapy faced are also outlined. We believe that the emerging external physical fields-driven nanocatalytic cancer therapy will provide a new avenue for cancer treatment.