MoS2/LaF3 for enhanced photothermal therapy performance of poorly-differentiated hepatoma

Recent progress on transition metal dichalcogenide-based composites for cancer therapy

Cancer remains a global health challenge, driving the need for advanced treatments. While transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) show promise in cancer therapy, their stability and efficacy require improvement. This study explores TMD-based composites as a solution to enhance their therapeutic potential. This review begins by providing an overview of TMDs and emphasizing their preparation techniques and fundamental properties. The focus is then shifted to categorizing TMD-based composites based on their constituent materials, delving into various types, such as TMD-organic, TMD-carbon, TMD-metal chalcogenide, TMD-metal, and TMD-oxide composites, as well as more complex ternary and multinary systems. We further explore key fabrication strategies, including hydrothermal/solvothermal methods and surface deposition/coating techniques. Subsequently, the focus shifted to their applications in cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, phototherapy, and integrated combination therapies. Finally, critical challenges in the field and perspectives on potential directions for future research are presented.

An insight into the dual role of MoS2-based nanocarriers in anticancer drug delivery and therapy

Over the years, nanomaterials have been exploited as drug delivery systems and therapeutic agents in cancer treatment. Special emphasis has been placed on structure and shape-mediated drug loading and release. Functional materials, including molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), have shown promising results because of their tunable structure and unmatched physicochemical properties. Specifically, easy surface functionalization and high drug adsorption ability make them ideal candidates. Although the large surface area of nanosheets/nanoflakes may result in high drug loading, the encapsulation efficiency is better for MoS2 nanoflower structures. Due to its high targeting abilities, the loading of chemotherapeutic drugs onto MoS2 may minimize nonspecific cellular death and undesired side effects. Furthermore, due to their strong light-absorption ability, MoS2 nanostructures have been widely exploited as photothermal and photodynamic therapeutic agents. The unexplored dimensions of cancer therapy, including chemodynamic (Fenton-like reaction) and piezo-catalytic (ultrasound-mediated reactive oxygen generation), have been recently unlocked, in which the catalytic properties of MoS2 are utilized to generate toxic free radicals to eliminate cancer. Intriguingly, combining these therapeutic modalities often results in high therapeutic efficacy at low doses and minimizes side effects. With a plethora of recent studies, a thorough analysis of current findings is crucial. Therefore, this review discusses the major advances in this field of research. A brief commentary on the limitations/future outlook/ethical issues of the clinical translation of MoS2-mediated cancer treatments is also deliberated. Overall, in our observations, the MoS2-based nanoformulations hold great potential for future cancer therapy applications. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Development of nanomedicines based on MoS2 has opened new avenues in cancer treatment. The MoS2 with different morphologies (nanosheet/nanoflower/QDs) has shown promising results in controlled and targeted drug delivery, leading to minimized side effects and increased therapeutic efficacy. While existing reviews have primarily focused on the optical/thermal properties utilized in photodynamic/photothermal therapy, the outstanding catalytic properties of MoS2 utilized in cancer therapies (chemodynamic/piezo-catalytic) are often overlooked. This review critically highlights and praises/criticizes individual articles reporting the MoS2-based nanoplatforms for cancer therapy applications. Additionally, MoS2-based combined therapies for synergistic effects are discussed. Furthermore, a brief commentary on the future prospects for clinical translations is also deliberated, which is appealing to various research communities engaged in cancer theranostics and biomedical sciences research.

Photothermal Conversion of Hydrogel-Based Biomaterial

Traditional energy from fossil fuels like petroleum and coal is limited and contributes to global environmental pollution and climate change. Developing sustainable and eco-friendly energy is crucial for addressing significant challenges such as climate change, energy dilemma and achieving the long-term development of human society. Biomass hydrogels, which are easily synthesized and modified, have diverse sources and can be designed for different applications. They are being extensively researched for their applications in artificial intelligence, flexible sensing, biomedicine, and food packaging. The article summarizes recent advances in the preparation and applications of biomass-based photothermal conversion hydrogels, discussing the light source, photothermal agents, matrix, and preparation methods in detail. It also explores the use of these hydrogels in seawater desalination, photothermal therapy, antibacterial agents, and light-activated materials, offering new ideas for developing sustainable, efficient, and advanced photothermal conversion biomass hydrogel materials. The article concludes with suggestions for future research, highlighting the challenges and prospects in this field and paving the way for developing of long-lasting, efficient energy materials.

Biomedical applications and prospects of temperature‐orchestrated photothermal therapy

Photothermal therapy (PTT) has been regarded as a promising strategy considering its advantages of high inherent specificity and a lower invasive burden. Since the photothermal killing of cells/bacteria showed different patterns of death depending on the varying temperature in PTT, the temperature change of PTT is vital to cell/tissue response in scientific research and clinical application. On one hand, mild PTT has received substantial attention in the treatment of cancer and soft/hard tissue repair. On the other hand, the high temperature induced by PTT is capable of antibacterial capacity, which is better than conventional antibiotic therapy with drug resistance. Herein, we summarize the recent developments in the application of temperature‐dependent photothermal biomaterials, mainly covering the temperature ranges of 40–42°C, 43–50°C, and over 50°C. We highlight the biological mechanism of PTT and the latest progress in the treatment of different diseases. Finally, we conclude by discussing the challenges and perspectives of biomaterials in addressing temperature‐orchestrated PTT. Given a deep understanding of the interaction between temperature and biology, rationally designed biomaterials with sophisticated photothermal responsiveness will benefit the outcomes of personalized PTT toward various diseases.