Theranostic applications of graphene-based materials in lung cancer: A review

Graphene-based materials have emerged as promising tools in the field of theranostics, offering unique opportunities for diagnosis, imaging, and targeted therapy in lung cancer (LC). This study reviews the advances and potential applications of graphene-based materials in LC theranostics. The first section discusses the use of graphene-based nanomaterials for enhanced imaging of LC. graphene oxide (GO) and functionalized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) demonstrate exceptional performance as contrast agents in various imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF). These nanomaterials offer high sensitivity, improved signal-to-noise ratio, and flexible surface functionalization, enabling accurate detection and localization of LC lesions. The second section highlights the therapeutic applications of graphene-based materials in LC treatment. Graphene nanosheets and graphene-based drug delivery systems exhibit significant drug-loading capacity and controlled release properties. They effectively deliver chemotherapeutic agents, gene therapies, and targeted therapeutic agents to lung tumor sites, minimizing systemic toxicity and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, the potential of graphene-based photothermal therapy is explored, where the unique optical properties of graphene nanomaterials enable selective tumor ablation upon laser irradiation. The integration of diagnostic and therapeutic functions in graphene-based theranostic agents offers personalized LC management, including real-time monitoring of treatment response and precise tumor localization. In conclusion, graphene-based materials are highlighted as versatile tools in LC theranostics, providing exceptional imaging capabilities, efficient drug delivery, and synergistic therapeutic effects. However, further research on toxicity, long-term safety, and large-scale clinical evaluations is necessary to realize their full clinical potential.