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Carbon nanomaterials have received great attention from the scientific community over the past few decades because of their unique physical and chemical properties. In this minireview, we will summarize the recent progress of the use of various carbon nanomaterials in the field of cancer phototherapy. The structural characteristics of each category and the surface functionalization strategies of these nanomaterials will be briefly introduced before focusing on their therapeutic applications. Recent advances on their use in photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and combined phototherapies are presented. Moreover, a few challenges and perspectives on the development of carbon nanomaterials for future theranostics are also discussed. The many dimensions of carbon nanomaterials: The recent progress of carbon nanomaterials in the field of cancer phototherapy is reviewed. A few challenges, perspectives on the development of carbon nanomaterials for future phototheranostics are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Indocyanine green (ICG) is an effective light absorber for laser‐mediated photodynamic therapy. However, applications of ICG are limited due to its rapid degradation and poor photostability in water. Herein, we report the development of a multifunctional nanoplatform by coating ICG on the surface of single‐walled carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) through π–π stacking, obtaining SWNH‐ICGs with high solubility and stability under physiological conditions. The SWNH‐ICGs could be used as a single nanoplatform to simultaneously produce satisfactory hyperthermia and reactive oxygen species under near‐infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. In addition, the SWNH‐ICGs not only improved the photostability of ICG in different media, but also protected it from light degradation. The SWNH‐ICGs exhibited highly efficient thermal/photoacoustic (PA) imaging‐guided photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) effects, even under low‐power laser irradiation (0.3 W cm−2) in vitro. Combined PTT and PDT effectively killed triple‐negative breast cancer 4T1 cells, demonstrating a markedly improved and synergistic therapeutic effect compared to PTT or PDT alone. Furthermore, significant tumor growth inhibition as well as tumor cell death were observed following PTT/PDT at 808 nm laser irradiation, confirming the synergistic effects of SWNH‐ICGs over free ICG in vivo. This facile and simple methodology for thermal/PA imaging‐guided PTT/PDT suggests that SWNH‐ICGs may serve as an effective nanoplatform for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structural characteristics of various carbon nanomaterials, their surface functionalization strategies, and recent advances in the field of cancer phototherapy are summarized in the Minireview by X.‐C. Shen et al. on page 3993 ff. Their excellent NIR absorption, large surface area, and appropriate size make carbon nanomaterials attractive and promising nanoplatforms for phototherapeutic applications. Despite many significant advances in this field have been made, several challenges remain to be addressed to promote their practical clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]