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

Abstract

Cancer is an escalating global health issue, driving an urgent need for innovative and effective treatment strategies. In recent years, two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have gained significant attention as versatile materials for cancer therapy. This review begins by providing an overview of TMDs, emphasizing their synthesis techniques and fundamental properties. It then categorizes 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. The discussion further explores key fabrication strategies, including hydrothermal/solvothermal methods and surface deposition/coating techniques. Subsequently, the focus transitions to their applications in cancer treatment, covering chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, phototherapy, and integrated combination therapies. Finally, this review addresses critical challenges in the field and provides perspectives on potential research directions for future advancements.