Recent advances in photo‐responsive carbon dots for tumor therapy

• Published in: Responsive materials (Online) Vol. 2; no. 2
• Main Authors: Zhang, Huiqi, Liu, Yupeng, Qu, Songnan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 01.05.2024
• Subjects: carbon dots; photocatalytic therapy; photodynamic therapy; phototherapy; photo‐responsive
• ISSN: 2834-8966; 2834-8966
• DOI: 10.1002/rpm.20240012

The precision treatment of tumors with minimal side effects is associated with improved human health and quality of life. In recent years, phototherapy has attracted significant attention in tumor therapy due to its versatility, spatiotemporal controllability, non‐resistance, and minimal side effects. Carbon dots (CDs) are considered promising phototherapy reagents because of their simple preparation, facilitated surface modification, tunable energy bands, excellent electron‐transfer capabilities, remarkable photoelectric and photothermal conversion properties, and outstanding biocompatibility. This review summarizes recent advancements in photo‐responsive CDs for photodynamic therapy and the emerging photocatalytic therapy of tumors. Finally, the article discusses the main challenges associated with the development of photo‐responsive CDs for oncology therapeutics and strategies to overcome these challenges. Carbon dots (CDs) are considered as promising phototherapy materials including photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and the recently emerging photocatalytic therapy (PCT). This review summarizes recent advancements in photo‐responsive CDs for PDT and the emerging PCT and discusses the main challenges associated with the development of photo‐responsive CDs for oncology therapeutics and strategies to overcome these challenges.