Advancements in research on the precise eradication of cancer cells through nanophotocatalytic technology
The rapid development of nanotechnology has significantly advanced the application of nanophotocatalysis in the medical field, particularly for cancer therapy. Traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, often cause severe side effects, including damage to healthy tissues a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1523444/full |
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| author | Changyang Yao Chensong Zhang Dongwei Fan Xuanhe Li Shaofa Zhang Daoxin Liu |
| author_facet | Changyang Yao Chensong Zhang Dongwei Fan Xuanhe Li Shaofa Zhang Daoxin Liu |
| author_sort | Changyang Yao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The rapid development of nanotechnology has significantly advanced the application of nanophotocatalysis in the medical field, particularly for cancer therapy. Traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, often cause severe side effects, including damage to healthy tissues and the development of drug resistance. In contrast, nanophotocatalytic therapy offers a promising approach by utilizing nanomaterials that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under light activation, allowing for precise tumor targeting and minimizing collateral damage to surrounding tissues. This review systematically explores the latest advancements in highly efficient nanophotocatalysts for cancer treatment, focusing on their toxicological profiles, underlying mechanisms for cancer cell eradication, and potential for clinical application. Recent research shows that nanophotocatalysts, such as TiO2, In2O3, and g–C3N4 composites, along with photocatalysts with high conduction band or high valence band positions, generate ROS under light irradiation, which induces oxidative stress and leads to cancer cell apoptosis or necrosis. These ROS cause cellular damage by interacting with key biological molecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, triggering a cascade of biochemical reactions that ultimately result in cancer cell death. Furthermore, strategies such as S–scheme heterojunctions and oxygen vacancies (OVs) have been incorporated to enhance charge separation efficiency and light absorption, resulting in increased ROS generation, which improves photocatalytic performance for cancer cell targeting. Notably, these photocatalysts exhibit low toxicity to healthy cells, making them a safe and effective treatment modality. The review also discusses the challenges associated with photocatalytic cancer therapy, including limitations in light penetration and the need for improved biocompatibility. The findings suggest that nanophotocatalytic technology holds significant potential for precision cancer therapy, paving the way for safer and more effective treatment strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2de79c7a8a6a4c14b0c6f35df7fdf13b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2234-943X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-2de79c7a8a6a4c14b0c6f35df7fdf13b2025-08-20T01:54:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-04-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15234441523444Advancements in research on the precise eradication of cancer cells through nanophotocatalytic technologyChangyang Yao0Chensong Zhang1Dongwei Fan2Xuanhe Li3Shaofa Zhang4Daoxin Liu5Department of General Surgery, Fengyang County People’s Hospital, Chuzhou, ChinaDepartment of Surgical Oncology Surgery (General Ward), The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of West Anhui Health Vocational College, Lu’an, Anhui, ChinaDepartment of Surgical Oncology Surgery (General Ward), The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Fengyang County People’s Hospital, Chuzhou, ChinaDepartment of General Surgery, Fengyang County People’s Hospital, Chuzhou, ChinaThe rapid development of nanotechnology has significantly advanced the application of nanophotocatalysis in the medical field, particularly for cancer therapy. Traditional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, often cause severe side effects, including damage to healthy tissues and the development of drug resistance. In contrast, nanophotocatalytic therapy offers a promising approach by utilizing nanomaterials that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under light activation, allowing for precise tumor targeting and minimizing collateral damage to surrounding tissues. This review systematically explores the latest advancements in highly efficient nanophotocatalysts for cancer treatment, focusing on their toxicological profiles, underlying mechanisms for cancer cell eradication, and potential for clinical application. Recent research shows that nanophotocatalysts, such as TiO2, In2O3, and g–C3N4 composites, along with photocatalysts with high conduction band or high valence band positions, generate ROS under light irradiation, which induces oxidative stress and leads to cancer cell apoptosis or necrosis. These ROS cause cellular damage by interacting with key biological molecules such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, triggering a cascade of biochemical reactions that ultimately result in cancer cell death. Furthermore, strategies such as S–scheme heterojunctions and oxygen vacancies (OVs) have been incorporated to enhance charge separation efficiency and light absorption, resulting in increased ROS generation, which improves photocatalytic performance for cancer cell targeting. Notably, these photocatalysts exhibit low toxicity to healthy cells, making them a safe and effective treatment modality. The review also discusses the challenges associated with photocatalytic cancer therapy, including limitations in light penetration and the need for improved biocompatibility. The findings suggest that nanophotocatalytic technology holds significant potential for precision cancer therapy, paving the way for safer and more effective treatment strategies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1523444/fullcancerhigh conduction bandhigh valence bandcompositesS-scheme |
| spellingShingle | Changyang Yao Chensong Zhang Dongwei Fan Xuanhe Li Shaofa Zhang Daoxin Liu Advancements in research on the precise eradication of cancer cells through nanophotocatalytic technology Frontiers in Oncology cancer high conduction band high valence band composites S-scheme |
| title | Advancements in research on the precise eradication of cancer cells through nanophotocatalytic technology |
| title_full | Advancements in research on the precise eradication of cancer cells through nanophotocatalytic technology |
| title_fullStr | Advancements in research on the precise eradication of cancer cells through nanophotocatalytic technology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advancements in research on the precise eradication of cancer cells through nanophotocatalytic technology |
| title_short | Advancements in research on the precise eradication of cancer cells through nanophotocatalytic technology |
| title_sort | advancements in research on the precise eradication of cancer cells through nanophotocatalytic technology |
| topic | cancer high conduction band high valence band composites S-scheme |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1523444/full |
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